anymusewilldo

I've seen what heaven knows ~ Seven Color Sky at Club Cafe, March 14th 2009

2009-03-15T09:20:00.006-04:00

Though I arrived a bit to late to catch much of the set, it was nice to see such a packed crowd for a band I know next to nothing about. Proof that the Pittsburgh Music Scene is bigger than my friends & their friends (though due to the one-degree of separation in Pittsburgh, I'm sure they are still friends of friends somehow).

Also proof that I don't listen to the X enough, as they're featured on this station. I suspect it's for the song "This City is Cold", as it's the stand-out rock song on the album, and it seems referential to both Pittsburgh and the weather here, which us yinzers gripe about more then when the Steelers are losing a game or the Arts are losing funding.

The emotional, interpersonal lyrics are right up front for most of the album, meaning it will be an album for the reflective and thoughtful days. But it rocks, 90's style, while tipping the hat to the generations before them. Dream Theater on the rocks, if the rocks were Van Halen, and the Cars.

There were some lovely moments in their softer songs too, my favorites being Chesterfield and A Rescue. OK, so A Rescue is not such a soft song, but it just feels more honest, a bit more telling, then the others. The entire second half of the album viscerally reminds me of "Friday I'm in Love", while the production of the guitars and keys securing this understanding.

I almost wish they'd started the album off with this half, perhaps Don't Walk Away, as these songs easier to get into for my personal taste. However, the progression of the album is nice, leaving the listener with a hopeful resolve.

myspace.com/sevencolorsky

WYEP Third Thursdays with the Harlan Twins

2009-02-23T16:06:00.005-05:00

Mix a few parts country twang, a spattering of hipster appeal and mix it in a pot of neo-soul-jam-rock and you've got the alternative rock group known to Pittsburgh as The Harlan Twins.

There's a humble demeanor in the band's performances. No one seems to be the main lead, as the two lead vocalists have this cute shyness to them as they drink their beer too fast and talk about their bangs between songs. But the sound is far from something you'd expect from a wallflower group - it is loud, gritty, in-your-face rock-dance-party music.

I'm always impressed with the caliber of music at WYEP's events, and these third-thursdays are no exception. There's always a nice balance of empty-next couples looking to get back into the live music scenes now that their kids have flown the coop, young and hip college-aged trendsetters who are interested in this month's radio station favorite, and people of all walks of life who are interested in a good - free - thursday night event.

As is typical with my experience with the scenesters around, I'm disappointed with the lack of dancing to this very danceable band. What does it take to get people dancing these days? I guess cocaine made for a better party drug than vicodin, though neither really seem appropriate for such a pristine and welcoming venue as the WYEP live studio room. I would eat off the floors, if prompted (and perhaps on an entirely different kind of party drug), but it isn't uncomfortable at all. All the volunteers are great, the hosts are welcoming, and it's nice to see that many of the WYEP staff are present at these events. It shows a degree of pride in something that is truly a wonderful series.

Zafira's Vaudeville Carnivale + Mezmer Society + Raquy & the Cavemen!

2008-11-27T12:04:00.000-05:00

Workshops with Mezmer Society today! Don't miss this awesome weekend chock full o'events!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8uuzwReKgY

Performance tonight with guests including Buddy Nutt and Mavi!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo7mT3F0qjU

Zafira performing with Raquy & The Cavemen... see it again Sunday night at Your Inner Vagabond!

Resonance at Your Inner Vagabond

2008-11-10T12:33:00.001-05:00

Resonance celebrates their CD Release party at Your Inner Vagabond this Friday, November 14th. Check it out!

Nick Ragheb with Lucas Legetti and Elie Kihonia at Wood Street Gallery

2008-11-10T12:22:00.003-05:00

I had the pleasure of seeing my old friend Nick Ragheb perform alongside two master instrumentalists this past friday. Elie Kihonia of Afrika Yetu came in shortly after this clip during set 2. Lukas Ligetti was the touring performer in this set. The three of them had never set foot on a stage together, and practiced for maybe 20 minutes prior to the show. A true testament for the talent each of these men has, the show was a great escapade through the possibilities in percussive music.

At times, they would fall together in these ecstatic moments, rhythm pulsing through each of their instruments as if they'd been playing together for years. And even as these grooves fell apart, it seemed purposeful and directed, a zen-like grasp-release cycle.

Nick is teaching classes at his home in Lawrenceville on Sunday afternoons.

Nick's friend Hakan from Turkey ain't bad either:

Pix from Rosa Sabrosa

2008-11-10T11:25:00.000-05:00

Woven at the Dark Room in Chicago

2008-10-17T11:59:00.000-04:00

We watched this band from row one of one, a surprise to us since they're, like, talent on the edge of godliness. What kind of brain must it take to control that many effects pedals, that complex of a drum rig?

We drove from Pittsburgh to see this show and visit Chad's family. It was f*ing awesome and worth it.

And, despite the general lack of advertising I saw for and within this venue, it was a pretty cool spot. Kickin sub-bass. Black and white photos everywhere, with red lights exclusively (hence: Dark Room)

The opening bands weren't bad, but they weren't particularly memorable. Not to mention that neither they nor their fans stuck around to see the band that travels from San Francisco. Boo on Chicago bands! Yuk!

KAL

2008-10-15T12:12:00.000-04:00

The fiddler and accordionist were two of the best I've ever seen. And the rest of the band flat-out rocked, gypsy-style.

Swell Season

2008-10-04T11:57:00.000-04:00

"Hansard has Bono-sized talent and charisma but with a straight-from-the-heart intimacy and playful sense of humor you don't get from his compatriot in U2.

The set was a dynamic mix of musicians coming and going, starting with Hansard and Irglova setting the tone with a sublime duet of Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic" and then going right into Oscar winner "Falling Slowly," their harmonies as delicate and beautiful and as a male and female voice can be. He has the warmth and rasp of Cat Stevens, while she's like a shyer, gentler Sinead O'Connor.

With The Frames on stage for songs like "The Moon" and "When Your Mind's Made Up," the sound took on the epic quality of Radiohead.

Hansard was just as powerful stripped down to his acoustic guitar with the hole in it. For "Say It to Me Now," he stepped to the tip of the stage and belted out the emotionally charged song as he'd do it on the street, with no amplification. Before doing "Back Broke" and "Leave," the talkative Hansard joked of the songs being about "feeling like you're in a place where you can't get any worse -- which is kind of what we do." He balanced those angry breakup songs with "Happiness" -- more of a resigned breakup song, offering his lover his blessing."

Review by Scott Mervis

Zany Umbrella Circus

2008-09-17T11:20:00.001-04:00

Possibly on good morning america tomarrow... So go TODAY to Penn Station downtown! I'm on my way now.

Gotta do it. Thanks John Stewart!

2008-09-16T13:22:00.000-04:00

Kabile

2008-09-15T11:58:00.008-04:00

If you thought that seeing a premier Bulgarian wedding band would bring people dancing an ethnic electric slide, you may have been somewhat right. You may have even guessed, since this band is touring the States from a small, Eastern European country, that they are an entertaining group of entrancing performers playing on exciting instruments. Perhaps you would not have seen yourself being so engrossed in the performance, the atmosphere, and the lovely nature of the evening.

Kabile arrived with just minutes to perform, but when you make your living playing weddings and other high-pressure events, chances are you know exactly what to do to make your band sound the best in any given situation. In fact, it took less than 10 minutes to finish a sound check, including fine-tuning the EQ. For those of you who do not sound tech as an evening job, this is a feat for any band, especially one with five uncommon instruments and two vocalists. One of the pre-show highlights was finding out Croatian words for "high" and "middle" in reference to their preferred sound.

In the same spirit, they wasted little time getting into high energy songs, which quickly got the growing audience up and dancing. The first line-dance was one which anyone who could stand could readily understand. Many of the dancers seemed closely descendant from Eastern European heritage, while many were distinctly American.

As the music played, the dancing got more complex, and was a good litmus test to see who the best dancers were. I could imagine a wedding where the last two co-eds standing would be similar to the results of garder/boquet toss.

The part of the audience that was not dancing seemed entirely engrossed with the musicians and the jovial atmosphere they brought to YIV. While some seemed to inherantly understand the music, others may have been engrosed simply in the ability of these super-capable musicians.

The most locally-common instrument in the bunch - the guitar - played an entirely different role in the band then our US ears are used to. With the bass notes emphasized, and the rhythmic strumming patterns soft in the mix, the guitarist acted more as a liason between the melody instruments and the percussion. The role of lead guitar was picked up by the Accordian player, who not only played the accordian in a masterfully interesting and coherent manner, but he also sang!

And what powerful voices we heard! The male accordianist had a voice as strong as any I'd heard singing this music, and one so provocative and gutteral that it could wind your heart around the center of a yo-yo and toss you out the same way. The low, gutsy female vocalist had the air of wisdom in her voice, as well as a sometimes flirtatious and always sensual element that had me longing for more. A young lady - the guitarist's local daughter - got up on stage a few times during the evening and shared a youthful take on these songs with a voice that had tastefully innocent qualities, which showed serious potential for the future of her singing.

The highlight for me were the melody instruments, particularly the Bagpipist and Flautist. I was blown away with their speed and the character of the tones they could release from their instruments. The piper could bend these notes directly or subtly, and knew when to do each. Likewise, the flute had a dynamic range far beyond seasoned, which could play a primary role in the melody or back into a supportive spot.

On Kabile, from Noel Kropf:

Traditional Bulgarian folk music has attracted worldwide attention and scholarship for its incredible virtuosity and musicianship. Varied rhythms combine with gorgeous harmonies, ancient instruments with modern, and traditional styles are rendered with a modern sensibility to produce an exquisite musical brew that is bound to enthrall roots music enthusiasts and novices alike.

Kabile is a top favorite in the south and east Thrace regions of Bulgaria for weddings, baptisms and other cultural celebrations. Dzhenko Andreev, Ivan Handzhiev, Angel Krastev, Nikolay Doktorov, Nikolay Kolev and Donka Koleva are excellent representatives of this traditional style. Mr. Andreev plays the gajda (bagpipe), Mr. Krastev the tapan (double headed drum), Mr. Doctorov the kaval (shepherd's flute), and Mr. Kolev the gudulka (lyra). Mr. Handzhiev plays accordion and is a vocalist in the traditional Thracian style. Ms. Koleva is also a vocalist in the traditional Thracian style. Individually, each member of the band has an exceptional history of scholarship and performance. Collectively they form one of the most respected ensembles in Bulgarian Thrace.

Kabile at Your Inner Vagabond

2008-09-13T12:14:00.000-04:00

What an awesome show! Full of lively dancing and some of the most talented musicians this side of the equator. Check out the bagpipes!

Vote Best of Pittsburgh in the City Paper now!

2008-09-09T21:00:00.004-04:00

My vote?

Best Place to spin fire
Winner: Mount Washington
The Fantasmorgasmical f*ing view, of course! Now *that's* hot...

Merhaba! From the Ren Fest...

2008-09-08T11:43:00.007-04:00

Whether you don't know what the "Ren" in "Ren Fest" stands for, or you critique our shoes for not being period, there's a party for everyone up in the Laurel Highlands. There are excellent live entertainment for free all day, including jousting competitions, fire breathing, magicians, comedy, musical acts and bellydance.

For the past few weekends, I've been in a stage show called "The Sisters of Ameretat", which we did not name, nor did we write the description, however it has been an awesomely fun experience, and I encourage all of you to attend! This upcoming weekend is the last that I'll be a part of it, unfortunatly, so come out while I'm around if you can. The last two weekends will have a drummer fill in -perhaps Temujin "Papa" the Storyteller? I will be owned by the city, attending to the Junior and Great Races.

I've also enjoyed wandering the streets as a roving bellydancer, and have danced for a bagpipist (sp?), a cellist, a classical guitarist, and many others. There are excellent vendors who paint henna, sell walking sticks, give live glassblowing demonstrations, and cook turkey legs. You can dress up in a rented costume or purchase corsets and weaponry from around the town. Let your inner history dork shine! Or, get drunk at the pub! The day is yours to create, and I'll be there for one more week to help you have a wonderful time.

Sunflower Photography, Pester the Jester, and several others have taken some great footage of the past few weekends. The video at the top of the page was of the closing gate cerermony, and has been the most fun and carefree time of the festival for the cast members. Here are some other great links:
Sunflower Photography: http://sunflowerphoto.com/proof.html
Pester on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/pesterthejester
Feather Photography: http://web.mac.com/featherphoto
Feel free to add or post more here!

Rock the Block with WYEP

2008-09-05T12:51:00.004-04:00

Tomarrow night, celebrate the presence of one of the best independent stations in the country! WYEP is a listener-supported public radio station that streams all over the US. Mostly AAA (Adult Album Alternative) formatted, some of my favorite WYEP moments have come in late at night. Many of my current favorite artists (Devotchka, Baja Boulat, Trevor Hall) are played regularly, and DJ Cindy Howes often features local artists on her show.

Saturday will be a great chance to give back! Cracker will be the featured artist, also playing live will be Pittsburgh's own Donora. Visit wyep.org for more details, and be sure to make it out! See you there.

Resevoir of Jazz

2008-09-02T08:23:00.000-04:00

Working for the city is sweet. I get to do some heavy lifting for a while to build up those fire-twirling muscles. Then I get to introduce myself to artists, who sometimes already know who I am. Then I get to listen to music, and sometimes get asked to dance by swanky 60-year old swingin fellows. For a while, I might be free to, say, take a walk around the Highland Park resevoir. And after I'm done cleaning up the trash, and moping about someone stole my shoes (it's okay, karma comes around, they will regret it. those shoes had the stink!) - I get to go home and bask in the fact that I just got paid overtime to listen to music outside all day.

This all happened at Resevoir of Jazz, held at Highland Park. It was a beautiful day, with a stageful of excellent musicians. Dave Pellow, director of Jazz studies at CMU, lead the band on his upright bass. While I don't know a whole lot about Jazz, there were moments of pure musical beauty that I fully enjoyed... more on the band soon as I can remember the names of the players

Another pleasure was meeting Ethan, guitarist for Charles Wallace Trio, who also heads the Highland Park Community Council. Yet another good-hearted musician who is also invested in his community. Not a bad job he's got, either ;0) It gives me continued love for this city.

COME SEE MY BAND!

2008-08-28T16:13:00.003-04:00

That's right folks! I'm a singer too! OK so I'm sure most of you knew that, as I talk about performing a lot. But, I have a lot of fun singing with Between Liberties, and I want to share this experience with you!

As much as I could write all day about music, *nothing* can compare to the live experience. You can turn it into an essay, you can think about it, you can tell your friends. Again, *nothing* compares to the live experience. Even CD's, as amazing of an experience as they can be, they just can't beat a good old fashioned live show.

And, on a personal level, I must admit that I love the range of emotions being on stage can put you through. In the set we'll perform tomarrow, there's a distinct shift in our storytelling. Sure, there are at least a half-dozen new songs since the last show we played at Club Cafe, but it's the order you put them in too. With this said, I hope that everyone leaves with the enlightened and hopeful sense with which we are phrasing this set.

Club Cafe, 10pm. $7 at the door. Also featuring Zack Simmen and the Electric Lemonade Stand, with openers The Lost sea. See you there!

Lord knows I can change (blindmelon)

2008-08-26T10:08:00.005-04:00

So, I wanted to drop back in and say that this blog has not been forgotten about. Slightly neglected, perhaps, but sometimes seeing my family (the presently sick Chad & the ever-energized PDukes) and getting some sleep before my daily 6am rise is top of my priorities. However, I've not been having a shortage of times to be a part of great happenings, just a shortage of time to write about them.

I'm ~~working on~~ done with a few backlogged reviews now, like the Life in Balance CD release party, Consider the Source with Complex Complex, and the Kerouac Fest 08 at Grand Midway Hotel.

With that said, I'd like to mention that soon (time permitting) I will be starting an MP3 archive in addition to the youtube video archive. These will be mostly live sets, and many of them will be whole sets. If anyone out in interweb-littlebox-land knows of a good way to separate huge MP3 files into smaller mp3 files, and would share this information with me, I would happily consider doing this extra work as well. In the meantime, it's full sets for y'all.

Some of what I have up on youtube includes: Uni and her Ukulele, the Gypsy Nomads, Agnes Wired for Sound, Midge Crickett, Between Liberties, me playing with fire... and will also soon include: Consider the Source, Ikonoklast, Complex Complex, Damien Youth, David J, Buddy Nutt, House of Assassins, Otantik, Armed Aria, and much more.

MP3 collection will include lots of the same and lots more. Stop back soon for more details, or subscribe to the feed for latest updates!

Kerouac Fest 2008

2008-08-25T16:32:00.004-04:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/Flutterbies1/Kerouac08 for entire album

As a short note, I must say that I've found no better place to perform than to a room of artists, writers, musicians and freaky-creative-types. It's like breathing, being able to feed from that flow. Everyone was excited to see what we had to offer, and Blair, Lord of the Grand Midway, gave us an extrordinary introduction. We hope to return to the haunted hotel and to Kerouac Fest in the future years to come!

I hear that Phat Man Dee and Jason Kirin both has fantastic sets on Friday night, and I was very well impressed by Damian Youth, David J, and other lovely poets, musicians, magicians and dancers. What a lovely congregation. The energies were intense.

Congratulations to Blair on his future father status, and thanks to everyone who supports the communities they are a part of. There is no other way to continue forward.

Consider the Source Review

2008-08-21T17:00:00.004-04:00

What happened on Sunday the 17th was an exceptional example of how Pittsburgh develops a scene. In a crowd of maybe 40 people, I would venture to say that at least half of them were musicians, many from influential bands in the city. This is step one. Step two, which Consider the Source takes care of simply by showing up, is you have to get people's attention.

Many acts attempt step two by creating crazy stage antics, constantly bantering with the audience, or otherwise "performing". But Consider the Source is hardly an "act" "performing". It takes a lot of practice to get as good as these guys. I'm talking like, "Congrats on your baby boy! Here, I bought him a drum kit! Oh, by the way I already have the other bandmates lined up for him. Just give me a call when he can sit up straight." Like someone scouted out these angels at birth... Even bands who sign deals with the devil do not wind up this damned good.

From the first song, the audience was speechless. Muted by the complex, yet engaging, melodies and rhythms that CTS winds through their songs. Filled with poly-rhythmic stops and starts, cohesive melodies, consistant and flowing energy, these guys really know how to transport an audience. Damned good.

New song... "This one's a bit hard" Ah yes, because we all followed what you were doing on the other songs anyways. DAMN, you don't even SEE Gabrial's fingers move while he plays! They are a blur of precision! And then, he is suddenly - as if by electronic magic - playing trumpet, keyboards, you name it! All from the same instrument. Magicians. Damned good. Really f*ing good.

Complex Complex was great as well. God, at any other show I would say they are awesome, and I do honestly respect the fact that they performed alongside CTS. But it's the difference between gods and men. Complex Complex were damn good; CTS played the music of the spheres. It's been well over a week, and I'm still reeling from it.

In terms of feel, Complex Complex is very jammy, more in a Sound Tribe Sector Nine way, with elements of the music. It is dancable, thoughtful music that would lend itself well to a group of people dancing. I found it to get a bit stuffy at times, but the bar had been raised. Seriously, I might have to wait to give these guys a fair review. Though they're damned good too.

Can you believe CC had never experienced hummus?! Well, we're glad ours was first, they enjoyed it enough to say so a few times! yay! Now, had they tried the caponata or the spicy feta, they may never have left Your Inner Vagabond.

So, the show ends, everyone stumbles out in a haze, I eat some fire, we all laugh about it, band gets paid, I get my stuff together... Point being, when I'm at YIV, I'm almost always working. I've been asked to jam with bands before, and have almost always declined (at the Jalsah, it's a bit different, because everyone's "working", and everyone's "playing"). However, after we closed, as I was winding up cables, members of both CC and CTS got up on stage.

If playing along would have assured my certain death, I still couldn't have stopped myself. It felt a bit ackward at first (I'm at YIV, I'm jamming, wait, the bass is too soft, i must turn it up, wait, i'm jamming not running sound!), and I never was turned up all the way through the microphone, but damn. I'm glad I didn't wake up going "I totally should've jammed". I just sang along. It was exciting to be inside the music. Damned fun.

VIDEO and AUDIO recordings of the sets and the jam are coming soon. And they are... yep, damned good!

PS - To all the record exec's out there, you've joined the bandwagon too late. I've decided to sign these guys. Forget not having all the resources just yet, where there's a will there's a way... CTS, welcome to Tarsier!! (wake up, emay, c'mon)

Not in a million years...

2008-08-21T16:34:00.004-04:00

... would anyone I've ever known have guessed why my writing has been sparse this week.

Well, I now work for the government!

That's right, kids, your favorite dreadlocked, post-hippy, pyromaniacal, musician and general far-out chick is now employed by The Man. And, if you live in the city of Pittsburgh, well, you fill my paycheck with your own hard earned money. So thanks! ;0)

No, I'm not trying to be an ass, I'm just giving example number one of why this is an important position to me. See, I like most of the people I've come across in this city, and I would feel like a waste of human space if I was taking dollars out of pockets and *not* valuing this new position.

My official title is Recreation Leader, and I am employed by the Special Events department of the City of Pittsburgh's Parks and Recreation division. This means that I will often get to spend my days outside, you might occasionally see me cutting ribbons, counting runners at the point, and planting trees with the mayor; hopefully it also means that I will be applying my degree (art, particularly the focus in video editing, digital imaging, and installation) as well as my skills aquired since graduation (event coordinating, talent buying, booking, etc) and my love for writing to help this city in a quest to become visibly vibrant and culturally exuberant.

Basically, I'm gonna tie-dye the town.

OK... maybe just batik it... I am, as far as I can tell, the only person with locks employed by the city. It's kinda fun. I smile at everyone, and they all smile back, even better! It's actually pretty sweet so far, even though I've mostly been doing office gopher stuff. The echos in the hallways and bathrooms are great for whistling and singing. Score!

More to come, and fear not! Even though I don't have a single day off between now and October (as I'm still working with YIV, and starting the Pittsburgh Rennaisance Festival this weekend), I still plan on seeing lots of shows (like tonight's Armed Aria / Prime 8 show at Garfield Artworks) and writing here often. In fact, as the glutten for punishment that I am, I'm thinking about starting a Song-A-Day blog, where I write, you guessed 'er, a song per day for... a year, probably. I might also reserve my place in the insane asylum.

Life in Balance CD Release

2008-08-17T16:31:00.000-04:00

I am lightheaded, quite a bit disoriented and quieted. My thoughts are reeling, but are not speaking to me directly with words. Things make a very different kind of sense. I am woozy, the color has softened and faded from what I look at. I am sleeping on the job, or is it actually a day dream? Everything is vivid, but from a great distance. I am sober, but it certainly does not feel like it. Should I head off to the emergency room immediatly?

Of course not! I am at a Life in Balance concert, and having a damn good time experiencing the lesser-seen side of the spectrum.

The CD release for "Crystal Bowl Meditation" was at Your Inner Vagabond, and they opted to take meditation a bit deeper by offering - in fact calmly insisting - that participants (yes, all of their concerts are participatory, at least cerebrally) take the time during the show to get a good nap.

This "Sleep Concert" is certainly a novel concept. But Steven Scuilli is not a newbie to novel concepts. In this concert alone, he presented three beautifully strange concepts - Rustic Electric music, followed by a nap inside healing bowl resonances, with an electro-dance set after!

Steve is a musician in the purest right - someone who understands communication and communion, and can explain it to you with the language of sympathetic vibrations. "Oscillate, Activate" is among the few phrases he actually speaks during shows like this. With entirely electronic instruments - including a few moog processors and a some subtly analog elements, he creates the sense of the whole universe in the room.

Ami's beautiful crystal bowls add the perfect touch. The deep harmonies they create have a way of shifting the line of thought-sight into simultaneously healing and sentimental places. While she is on stage, Ami emits this serenity that can be felt throughout the room.

Slowpoke, a side project of Steve and Ami's which fuse their electro sound with Apalachian-inspired fiddle from Jan (of Devilish Merry). The group has not been playing together for so long - this was their first public appearance - but there was magic woven between the instruments. From what I've been told, Jan's backround is intirely in Appalacian music. However, the way she wove her bowed notes in with Steve's electronic sounds made it seem like they were simply playing one instrument - the music happened so organically.This is a truly special project.

"I left you once, on the night train" - Trevor Exter

2008-08-16T17:00:00.000-04:00

Was told about Trevor Exter by a lovely couple during the NAMU. They were sitting outside Crazy Mocha in Southside Works, and I interrupted their conversation to give them a BL CD. We got to talking for a bit, and did a bit of musician-swapping. I traded this guy for Erik Mongrain. Pretty good trade, after all. I think TE would happen naturally if you added Jason and Wytold together. Maybe not, but it's at least moderately appropriate.

Any over-the-top fantastic musicians out there I should know about?

Complex Complex added to CTS / Infinien show

2008-08-15T00:54:00.002-04:00

Wisconsin's ComplexComplex has been added to the awesome lineup this Sunday at Your Inner Vagabond.

Deep Sink the Fangs

As if I really have to mention it again, Consider the Source and iNFiNiEN will be on the bill as well.

Armed Aria - a Dream Band for the Practical

2008-08-14T23:27:00.009-04:00

Kick out the jams: Orion, Kent and Kyle of Armed Aria

"I was asleep at my desk, and I woke up with the name on my tongue." Even in a somnambulant state Kyle Grant, lead vocalist for Armed Aria, knew that was the name their band had been looking for. "It's intentional, to be armed. You're ready." Considering what they've been doing over the past year, this is a most apt description.

Armed Aria has been doing more than simply gearing up for their first show. "We've been playing since early in 2007, but we wanted to wait to perform. We wanted to have some recordings so people leaving the show could take something with them." So, instead of simply putting together a demo, perhaps doing some recording on their savings, they built their own studio from scratch.

"Orion basically put it together," guitarist Kent Swanson relates. "He'd say 'we need this', and we'd say 'we're broke'. He'd say 'but we need this', and we'd just figure it out." What seems a hardy feat for a budding band turned into a professional recording-and-practice studio with 32 digital (16 analog) input capacity. "Now, we just press a button, and we're ready to record."

"We play all our practices with headphones on." This might ultimately lead to possibly pesky in-ear monitors, which Kyle says they haven't yet decided upon. However, it has it's less obvious perks. "I can go home, sign onto the FTP site, and listen to what we just played. It makes writing lyrics really easy."

Easy seems a relative term. With a list of influences running the gamut from classic rock icons Led Zeppelin, nordic melodic-metalheads Opeth, prog-rock's idolized Dream Theater, and the genius of the Beatles, Radiohead and Pink Floyd, living up to what they love is quite a difficult task. The guys take it in stride, and while they do have at least one 13-minute anthem in their repertoire already, the music is edgy, easy to engage with and deep enough to swim in.

Armed Aria debuts on August 21st at Garfield Artworks, and yinz bet ch'yer butt I'll be there. Within a few weeks, they will graduate to one of the most prestigious stages in Pittsburgh, with a September 13th demo release at Mr. Smalls Funhouse. "We wanted people to get excited about music in this city." Kent explains, saying that each band on the bill at Smalls will be releasing something that evening. Fountain Infinity (compare to A Perfect Circle), Chux Beta, and Come to Dust will be among those bands. "There's so much going on, but no one seems to know about it. We think this it'll be good to show off a lot of good local bands at once."

It's not until much later in our conversation that they mention the Haunted House attached to the studio. And the wet bar. And the hot tub. And the opthalmist. "The studio's in the same building as Orion's family's business. His dad's an eye-doctor. Every year they have a Halloween party, and eventually they collected so much stuff that they just leave it up all year now."

Though they plan on doing some touring after the EP is released, we hope they stick around Pittsburgh and play for us a while. I propose a live-in-the-studio-haunted-hot-tub bash.

The fun-loving, multi-talented guys aren't bad to look at either:

Kyle Grant (vocals, rhythm guitar), Kent Swanson (lead guitar), Orion Czarnecki (Percussion)

And if you think that photo is sweet, well, just wait til you hear the music! A few rough tracks are available through their myspace, and others will be available at the upcoming shows.

Cardworks Recycles!

2008-08-13T16:43:00.002-04:00

I take this moment here to talk about something non-music related. Don't hate me, instead, love me!
When I worked at Cardworks, there were 6 pop machines and no recycling bins. With the help of several associates and a few helpful managers, we began researching to implement a plan of action for how to save these plastic bottles from adding to landfills.

I left the company before it was ever implemented. However, I received an email today:

Please forward to your associates:

As you may have already noticed, we have place 4 Recycle Bins throughout the office. They are located at the time clocks in both Collections and Recoveries, near the water cooler in Customer Service and in the Lunchroom.

The only items that should be placed in these bins are cans and bottles. Thanks

YAAAAAAAAY Go Cardworks!

That is all. Remember, as Ghandi said: "Be the changes you wish to see in the world"

Video of Phat Man Dee & Zafira with the Liquitones

2008-08-12T11:04:00.003-04:00

Stumbled across this video. Think it's just fantastic. Featuring Pittsburgh's own Phat Man Dee on vocals, with more of our own dancing: Zafira Dance Company ladies Maria Harmer, Olivia Kissel, and Christine Andrews.

http://www.phatmandee.com
http://www.zafiradance.com

Now accepting online submissions!

2008-08-11T13:01:00.002-04:00

If you are interested in having your music reviewed here, or are interested in a review of a live show...
Send me your track via soundcloud

Submit your tracks now for consideration! I don't take any rights to your music, it's fast and easy to use, and you get the gratification of knowing you did something to further your musical career... or something.

"Songbird giving yourself away, got nothing to lose" - Keith Caputo

2008-08-10T11:37:00.007-04:00

What an interesting time for music. Between active discussions about the future of music (is it in live shows? merchandise? indy labels?), the state of music (it sucks! it's awesome! it's electronic! it's acoustic!), there is no shortage on discourse.

Without analyzing too much about what each individual experience means to the future of music as a whole, I offer these recent anecdotes from several different types of musicians.

The Police: at Post-Gazette Pavillion

Sold out amphitheater-type show outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Note on the venue: PGP has a gravel parking lot, and lawn seats = spikey hay to cover up mud. An hour outside of the city. Really shitty parking lot. Not a place to do much tailgating. Ultimately, Post-Gazette, not a news-worthy venue at all.
Though a lot of these songs were well known to almost the entire audience, the band managed to change all of them slightly, turning years of pop anthems into a delicately intricate set. Nothing shaking, nothing ground-breaking, but good music to jam along to, drink or smoke a bit. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, went home, went to work the next day, just keep on keepin' on.

Radiohead: at Post-Gazette Pavillion

Sold out amphitheater-type show outside of Cleveland, OH. Note on the venue: Blossom is gorgeous. Would happily have watched Radiohead from the parking lot. Inside was just as nice. Trees in the lawn area! A bridge leading to the doors! Very helpful staff members who, after only mild hedging, offered to pay for a tire which we popped in the parking lawn thanks to some litterbugs leaving an excess of glass bottles, which broke (and our parking orchestrator subsequently having us drive over this pile).
The ability for them to captivate a crowd was just brilliant. So much for arena rock being dead: these guys are simply a new take on a new perspective. They may have created the perspective, but they've reinvented it so many times, that perhaps people forget that these guys catered to the outcasts way before the hipsters. Perhaps people just feel more like outcasts in general, living in a world where no news is the only good news and it's hard to find an honest smile on the street...

And, it was hard to go to work the next day. Nearly everyone I knew called off the next day. A few of us girls decided we were going to tour with Radiohead. I think I still might. Nearly everyone talked about leaving their jobs, setting off in a new cultural direction. It was like Phish or the Dead shows. It was beautiful.

Bob Dylan: at New American Music Union

Sold out outdoor day-festival at the South Side Works, in Pittsburgh. Note on the venue: Way to go, AE! This boring parking lot was redesigned for the weekend into an outdoor festival location. I am glad I didn't buy tickets, however, because the lawn on the river was much more cozy than the cement standing-room-only area inside. Why not redevelop this parking lot - which is not even a public lot - into a permanent outdoor venue? It would be beautiful, you could have free shows all the time, people could go shopping before and after the shows, everyone benefits.
It simply sounds like Mr. Dylan doesn't care anymore. He played the songs with little energy. Many people seemed to be there for Gnarles Barkley or the Raconteurs anyway, so it shouldn't have mattered to them. Spoon and the Raconteurs were pleasant surprises as well, very glad to have caught these sets.

Dylan does change up his themes as was mentioned for the Police, but he does it in such a way that completely obscures even his most popular song. "Like a Rolling Stone" was perhaps the only recognizable tune, which he performed as an encore before being rushed into his van and promptly escorted out of the cesspool of southside (is this what they told him about us? or is he just not supposed to have that much fresh air in a day?).
Now, as a life-long fan of Dylan, and someone who can perhaps begin to appreciate where the choices he has made throughout his career stem from, I can see why it would be important to bust a groove to the van right after the show. I can also appreciate that he probably gets sent to him thousand of demo-tapes per month. However, does it really take 3 or 4 cronies to slam a door in my boyfriend's face when he's trying to give you my band's demo tape? That seems excessive.

Keith Caputo of Life of Agony: at Club Cafe

Ill-attended evening club/cafe-type show. Note on the venue: Why does no one go to club cafe anymore? The venue is really a nice stage to perform on, the ticket prices are cheap, and they do a lot of good shows there! It was promoted in the CP, but I don't know how many people read the city paper. I didn't when I was in college, and I'm less inclined to these days. I see way more stuff online, but so little from Pittsburgh. Every musician that's ever come through here says it's a tough town to play in, and every local musician says there's an awesome scene but no way to find out about it. WHAT IS OUR PROBLEM???
Either way, this was my favorite show of the bunch, with the exception of Radiohead which was less of a show and more of a religious experience. It did go to show that rock is just no longer "rock and roll", when the bulk of the young rock stars I know show up at Radiohead, an experimental and melodic noise band for the most part, and not at one of the great cult heroes shows (for 1/6th the cost). There are still bands that do it, but it's just not as interesting to people. When admen can turn selling angst into a business, the alternative kids find new outlets for your frustrations. And the alternative kids of today create the admen's business of tomarrow. It's a fucked system, sure, but, as Keith said, "this is America. Land of the thieves, Home of the Slaves".

Thanks for the experience, Dave. Owe ya one.

And, while searching for that Keith Caputo quotation, I stumbled across a video from Jacob Golden. Beautifully composed song, and touching voice. Check him out:

Things you'll find at the New American Music Union, aside from Dylan et all

2008-08-09T09:50:00.010-04:00

this CD!

]
This is a demo version of Between Liberties' demo that you can find all day at the NAMU. And aw, after I finished burning all the discs, I realized the changes I had made to Chad's original design. There are now 4 tracks on a CD titled 3-song demonstration. Oh well, just add it to the pile of "proof she's only human".

Also check out some great college bands, Bob Dylan & Band, the Raconteurs, Gnarles Barkley and the abounding hipster apparel.

Though intending to stay for the entire set last night, I decided it was more important to go home and prepare for tomorrow. Also because the few bands I did catch were mediocre, I wasn't so interested in the Black Keys and I'd seen the Roots before. I was a bit disappointed to miss the Key Party CD release party. Hope it was a blast, y'all! I did, however, stumble upon a Free Ride party, where my friend Karen played in a band that would better have been named the Hot Metal Brass Band. Quell Surprise!

Today's activities begin at 11am and continue until just before 11pm. This flier, which you may see along the streets or in a stack in my hand, was beautifully designed by Chad Hammitt.

and, last one, a cool picture of me spinning fire during Elise's Playground's Wig Ball

Phat Man Dee: Ugly is the new Beautiful, New York Style

2008-08-08T10:58:00.005-04:00

Pittsburgh's own Phat Man Dee appeared on the Today Show for being a model for Ugly NY

Yay Man Dee! I think she's beautiful - muah!

Pittsburgh : A Musical Confluence

2008-08-08T09:47:00.002-04:00

Here is a sampling of Pittsburgh tonight:

Pittsburgh compilation live release, featuring Donora, Boca Chica at the Brew House

A Dylan Show at the NAMU

A ton of college bands at the NAMU

Cowboy Hillbilly Hippy Folk at Your Inner Vagabond

Buddy Nutt with Bob Log III and other great acts at the 31st Street Pub

and, a political sidenote

From DailyKos.com

"I was a rock, but now I am a crystal"

2008-08-07T12:22:00.002-04:00

While Between Liberties was on tour in march, we stumbled across this sweet open stage at TT's in Virginia. The girl singing in this video sang (her project is Electric Jane). The guys are now Fairgrounds. And they all played together. Beautiful sounds, these powerfully sweet and soulful voices. Great, flowing tunes. They looked totally happy to be on stage.

I'm trying to figure out if they're all one project now. Will give an update soon.

Radiohead at Blossom outside of Cleveland, "It brought me to my knees"

2008-08-06T11:07:00.006-04:00

Read a concise and collected review at Cleveland.com...

SET LIST: "15 Step," "There There," "Morning Bell," "All I Need," "Pyramid Song," "Nude," "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi," "The Gloaming," "The National Anthem," "A Wolf at the Door," "Faust Arp," "Exit Music (For a Film)," "Jigsaw Falling into Place," "Idioteque," "Climbing Up the Walls," "Bodysnatchers," "How to Disappear Completely"
FIRST ENCORE: "Videotape," "Paranoid Android," "Dollars & Cents," "Reckoner," "Street Spirit (Fade Out)"
SECOND ENCORE: "House Of Cards," "Lucky," "Everything in Its Right Place"

I start this review with the setlist (DUH you are saying, we are here, now, reading this, aren't we?)... So, let me explain this absurdly placed addendum.

Radiohead are Magicians. The type of mind-fucking, poetically-speaking, know-it-all (and show few cards) types that have been notorious for being lynched or burned at the stake throughout history. They get into your brains, under your skin, deep inside your heart. They pet your deepest desires and then smash your ego in with itself.

They flat-out rock.

The first time I saw them, in Boston circa 2001 was perhaps the single best concert I'd ever seen to date. Things I'd never seen at concerts before were happening as if it was part of a master plan.

For instance... The community: While I'd been to a lot of concerts for a teenager, I had yet to see an audience so diverse. Not only were there obviously different tastes in music being represented (from the bondage-pantsed goth kids, to dead-heads and metal-heads), but there was such a variety in age, race, and visible social status. There were people smoking pot, people drinking beer, and people (like myself) who remained sober for the entirety. And we were not simply peacefully coexisting, but communing in a way that only those there could understand. If only we could do this as naturally on the streets...

The respect: This was my first Radiohead show. Most of the people I knew who revered them were junkies or just generally a bit psychotic. I had a respect for the Bends, and for the newer albums that had come out, but... well, I guess I just didn't know then. Well, during Pyramid Song, the crowd became silent. Not nearly silent, as I've seen a few times since, but like "i'm in church, communing with god, and getting high off of the preachers words. amen!". I could hear *everyone* in the venue, and when some guy, probably 40-50 feet behind me, whispered "Dude, I dropped my bowl", there were quite a few chuckles from the, oh maybe 200 of the people who heard this also. Then, back to pin drop silence.

And, as is known to happen at Radiohead shows, the essentially supernatural: During the "Rain down... from a great height" bridge in Paranoid Android, a plane passed overhead. Big whoop? We were so close to the airport that this plane blocked out almost the entire sky. It was inaudible, even at such a soft part in the song. And, it was blinking in time to the percussion. Did a plane-looking UFO simply come to take us all home? It seemed entirely possible at the time.

Listening to a mixwit by the author of the article above. I love moments like the "wooh!" "shut up!" "WOOH!" "SHUT UP!" moments in You and Whose Army? There is no better way than trying to shush someone else's experience to embody your own pet peeve.

I digress. My whole point in putting the setlist first is to say that Radiohead weave a story. They build up their lyrics, which may seem naturally divergent, a bit wacky, and deeply enlightened. The lyrics are merely the backbone for a body of art that includes all the fleshy, ethereal musical layers that make them demi-gods. The halo of light is their stage-show, which is more psychadellicaly there than any I've seen, while using a (relatively) simple light show with live video feed.

What is the story they are weaving? IMHO, it is a dawn-of-the-apolcalyptic evolution of mankind tale of lobbyists, lovers and loners, as told by a centaur from the center of the galaxy who is here on vacation and winds up getting trapped in a zoo and his only way to escape is to call home to his people by joining up with some other inmates set on becoming a big motherf*cking rock stars. He says "get me out of this dodge" while, on occasion, sympathizing with a bunch of kids who are broiled in fear, ecstasy and personal economic crises.

Will the centaur make it home? I'm not sure, but he did predict this whole thing. A voice of reason in an unstable time, he is pointing out our flaws, pushing our substance abuse in our faces, laughing at the spaces between us. What causes a human to feel? Because it certainly can't be these things we think. TV? Things upon things upon things...

What they're after is probably akin to Burning Man in the way that life goes beyond these material stockpiles which own our lives and dictate future experience. It is about letting things go, be them perceptions of how people should act when they are having an experience, or little hand-held devices that never leave our iron claws. Write on the sky, and let the clouds roll away.

What other experiences could you have? There were plenty of young people on psychedelics, smoking pot, drinking. There were also quite a few older folk there doing the same thing. There were just as many people who were straight-sober, perhaps a few like myself that were somewhere in the middle. You could be watching the stage, diving into the light show, absorbing the music, studying the musicians or the melodies. No matter what your preference, you would not be disappointed. Perhaps this is what a group experience should be about.

A group experience. A mobius concept. Something that can be perceived. Something unmangled by your individual perception. The truest experiences are like sharing a bed with god. Things make sense without any one person having to put any thought into them. Tears because of pleasure, tears of utter comprehension. A ride on the wave, a drive on the plains. "All matter can be reduced to a single vibration". To be experienced is to understand this, and, well, experience it.

Here was my connection to this experience (and links to lyrics so you can find yours. Find music clips HERE):
15 Step "It comes to us all / It's as soft as your pillow"
There There "we are accidents / waiting waiting to happen" ... and I'm thinking, what, will this be a "best of" set? not that you could avoid it, given the solid state of all their songs... But I've seen them start the show with TT before. Frustration with the crowd sets in. Everyone is silent and non-moving, like they're waiting for Pyramid Song.
Morning Bell "Everybody wants to be a slave / walking walking walking..." I've taken it in my own hands to dance like the goofass I like to be here.
All I Need "I am a moth who just wants to share your light / I'm just an insect trying to get out of the night / I only stick with you because there are no others / You are all I need"
Pyramid Song "All my lovers were there with me / all my past and futures / and we all went to heaven in a little rowboat / there was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt" For a minute, I was here before (again). Thinking of you, thinking of me, thinking...
Nude " You paint yourself white / and feel up with noise / but there'll be something missing"
Weird Fishes / Arpegi " I'll hit the bottom / Hit the bottom and escape"
The Gloaming "Murderers / you murderers / We are not the same as you"
National Anthem "Everyone is so near, it's holding on" Conductor waves, here's where you all start dancing now.
Wolf at the Door " dance you fucker dance you fucker / don't you dare" ("i'm glad someone else is feeling this")
Faust Arp "You've got a head full of feathers / you got melted to butter"
Exit Music (for a film) " Today we escape, we escape." don'tlooseyournerve
Jigsaw Falling Into Place "This place is on a mission... just as you dance, dance, dance"
Idioteque "This is really happening.... Here, I'm alive"
Climbing Up the Walls "I am the eyes in the cupboard" Right before this song started, everyone shifted after dancing to Idioteque. The sea of people parted. I was left with a straight-on view of Thom Yorke and his guitar center stage. No one moved back into this plane of vision. He was in my head.
Bodysnatchers "Has the light gone out for you?" (this - "I've seen it coming" is when I affirmed that Thom can time-travel, as I found out later to be verifiable)

How to Disappear Completely "I walk through the walls, I float down the liffy" Look for the lighthouse, follow the beacon - we arrived by beeline to our friends in a sea of 20,000 people.
Videotape "You are my center / When i spin away"
Paranoid Android "Why don't you remember my name?... The panic, the vomit / God loves his children"
Dollars & Cents "All Over the Clovers" This is, perhaps, when most people get it.
Reckoner "We seperate like ripples on a blank shore"
Street Spirit "Be a world, child, form a circle / before we all go under (immerseyoursoulinlove)" Thom still humbles me, i was singing along at the top of my lungs. No one told me to shush, a subtle affirmation.

House of Cards "No matter how it ends / no matter how it starts" Chad and I were being goofy during this song, making our dino-APU/ABA noises that seemed to freak some people out, but was well worth the laughter of others.
Lucky "Pull me out of the aircrash / pull me out of the wreck / cause i'm your superhero / we are standing on the edge"
Everything In It's Right Place " What, what was that you tried to say? " ... The crowds fade out, the trash is everywhere. People come to start cleaning up, they shut down the doors, they look at the tripping stragglers with a "you don't even get it" look. Who are you? "Have you seen my friends in the green shirts and khaki shorts" / "No, I haven't" / "They're right THERE!" (swings arms around to display three of them).

Radiohead must have had at least 50 full time tour people with them, sounds lights stage techs alone. Someone to pick out the stylish clothes they were wearing. Plus all the management and producers that coordinates such a presentation. Bravo to each and every one of them. So, perhaps it wasn't the best Radiohead set I've seen, but the worst radiohead show I've seen was still one of the best concerts of my life, and the best go well into the realm of Zen.

After the concert, my blotto friends and I sat on the lawn til they kicked us out. Everyone around us seemed to have stayed too, perhaps trying to ward of the XX,000 people who had attended the show. Everyone around us seemed to just sit there, nodding and occasionally verbalizing "yeah. yeah." That was about all we could do too. Many great moments with people, many

Got back to the car (miraculously, considering the mobs and the way a parking lot changes when it's half empty). Spun some fire while listening to Consider the Source. If I prevented a few people from driving while too intoxicated, then I did my job, I suppose. Got a chance to talk with some great people, including Melanie, who says that the three pinnacle bands of our generation are Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and Tool. I think I have to agree with her. Though, despite my love for all three bands, Radiohead may have gotten a head above with me over the years.

Other shows setlists (more for my own record-keeping and the future possibility of making mixtapes to hear these stories again): Suffolk Downs circa 2001; Tweeter Center in Camden, 2003; Blossom 2003; Blossom 2008.

Consider the Source - best thing to do on a sunday

2008-08-04T15:11:00.004-04:00

These guys are just flat-out awesome. If you see ONE more YIV show for the rest of the summer, for your own sake, make it this one. I will personally refund anyone who leaves unsatisfied, whatever your musical taste may be. This is the first stop outside of NYC on what will be a monumentally amazing 2-month tour.

Gabriel, a herald in his own right, played a double-neck guitar. But if I hadn't seen it, one may have thought it was a sitar. It also sounded like it may have been Jesus himself playing guitar. These are not compliments I throw out lightly. If he had not looked like an angel on stage, these would not be my chosen words. And the music he was making was even more impressive than his stage presence.

The caliber of musicianship in this three-piece does not decrease by order of appearance in this story. Instead, the three musicians interwove their instrumentation to a degree that was moving. Like shake-the-ground-you-walk-on moving. Like this-is-the-feeling-I-get-when-I'm-on-top-of-the-world moving. I applaud these guys for finding harmony within themselves that extends out in every direction to the corners of the universe.

John keeps the funky bass backbone going through all variants of quick turnarounds and polyrhythmic variations, and is one of the few electric bassists I've seen do a truly kickass bass solo. Like "wow, is that Jimi reincarnated as a bassist or what?" He seemed to be having a really great time on stage too, enough to almost spark a "man, I wish I were singing with these guys" twinge of jealousy.

James has a set full of various percussive elements, and you can hear him play doumbek on "Dumbekistan". Being able to switch off on the pieces of his kit without batting an eye, and still keep the foundation of the rhythm so solidly tight is a truly amazing feat. There is no lack of drummers who are able to do only one or the other, but this will not be a case of that. Instead, he gave me renewed excitement that, given enough dedication and love for an art, anyone can be a (musical/painterly/dancing) DaVinci.

Did I mention that they're also very friendly, humble guys? This is, again I reiterate, something I *never* take for granted.

The fact that Club Cafe wasn't sold out was obviously no measure of their skill. Of the uncountable shows I've seen at Club Cafe, this is one of the two best ever. The other, being very stylistically different, was John Hayes' Midnight Cabaret live. CTS could easily sell out the Peterson Center, give it a few years and 2 more albums. And, while their recorded music is really great, their live shows are even better. How often does that happen??

Honestly, if they're not picked up by a major label on this tour, I will lose all hope for the major players in the music industry. Or perhaps I'll offer to pick them up on my label, though there is simply no way I could do them the justice they deserve at this point in my career. They are Consider the Source, from NYC, after all.

PS - if you want to see me spin or eat fire at the show, just make a request here!

The most destructive element...

2008-08-03T14:33:00.005-04:00

...and also the one most ready to be controlled.

Thanks to Johnny Sullivan, I can now eat fire. And it's yummy ;0)

Thanks also to Benzy for introducing me to his ever-amazing friends. I love parties that keep me up until sunrise.

I'm feeling rather thankful... While I'm at it, thanks to Emma for helping me feel like a tourist in my own (beautiful) city. To the Vonderful Vytold for giving us a wonderful reason to celebrate. To Alexandra, for always giving me reason to better myself. To Garvin and Pink-Hat-Burner, for a bit more synchronicity. And to my beloved Chad, for trusting me and encouraging me to do whatever my heart desires.

Love to y'all, I'm off to Radiohead. Check out Bon Iver at the Rex if you are not making it to Blossom.

Janis Ian

2008-08-03T10:00:00.003-04:00

Disclaimer: Until Friday, I knew Janis Ian only as a name, one used in conjunction with young, local roots-rocker Cathasaigh, or occasionally brought up in the Calliope Songwriter Circle. She seemed to be a well-respected vocalist and someone who I might be interested in listening to. However, it's not a given that I will be into a chick singer, but I do have a very soft spot for Joni Mitchell (and Alanis Morisette, and Jewell, and that was about it until a few years ago). Still, when a month ago, I spotted a sign for a live appearance at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in South Side, I thought I'd probably want to check it out.

I promptly forgot about it.

Flash forward again, back to Friday. Chad and I brought the car in to get looked at pre-Radiohead-in-Ohio, and decided to go to JBB to look at an article in AdBusters we'd been talking about over lunch. We got carried away in the bookstore, and stayed in the Magazine section alone for several hours. I stood up from where I was reading to pee. What is this crowd I see? Janis Ian is speaking in 5 minutes? Hmm....

Amidst a crowd of old heads in tie-dye, young lesbians, and music lovers, I really didn't look like I just happen to stumble upon this. My reaction didn't prove otherwise either. From the first few sentences, I was in love. She just had this honesty, likely from just writing an autobiography, and an integrity, perhaps from decades of life on the road. It was undeniable. It was visibly magnetic.

I cried as she talked about a performance where she ran off stage while 30 people in a crowd of 2,000 chanted "Nigger Lover" at her 15-year-old self. My god! I cried as she talked about how the promoter of that show told her she had to go back on stage: Not for her career or his bank account, but because if she didn't stand up to these inhumane people, they would have more confidence against the next performer they didn't like, the next thing that scared them.

I cried as she spoke of her mother, "who has been dying by inches for so long". I cried as she recounted a dream she had of her mother when MS finally took her breath, of seeing her mother run across the field, the scent of flowers clinging to her ankles. I cried as she spoke of how she did not know how to verify that this woman was actually passed.

I cried when she said that Jimi Hendrix was a very honest talent, also the most graceful of people.. I cried when she said that, in a time where people were hating her because she had been given, at 15, an opportunity that they had slaved their whole lives for, Jimi had been so kind.

And, I laughed. I laughed at her self-deprecating "I'm totally over Janis Ian" jokes. I laughed when she said she thought autobiographies were dreadfully boring, and that she preferred John Grisham and summer beach reads. I laughed when the wireless microphone gave out, and she confessed that she needed it after all. I laughed because she was funny, she was experienced, she was a bit crazy in the same way that most people I love are. I laughed because she was exciting decades after the spotlight had passed to less honest, less crazy performers.

I bought her CD, of course, and while it's not necessarily my style of preference, I am certainly glad I could experience the woman behind these songs. It sheds a light on how people become the artists they do: in her case, Perhaps I'll give it a good listen and a proper review here eventually, but for now, I will leave by saying Thank You, Janis Ian. Thank you from the bottom of my own performative heart.

"See how it feels when we're water once more"

2008-08-02T10:00:00.004-04:00

Thanks to a conversation about Mazzy Star, I was reminded of a recording session with the lovely Amanda Standalone.

One slow night at the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern open stage, John is getting ready to shut down, when in walks a bubbly girl with a funny midwestern accent and a smile the size of lake Michigan. Earlier in the evening, I borrowed John's guitar and had a conversation during this process about how he rarely trusts people to play, but he wanted to hear me, and he could mostly trust me, "just be good to it". These are all sentiments I can relate to, as my guitar is at least a decade older than myself, so when she asked to borrow John's guitar to play a few tunes, I could understand his skepticism. It probably didn't help that she was self-described as buzzed off a few beers and had been walking around Pittsburgh all day (literally - from Regent Square to Bloomfield after god-knows-where).

John, being of the skeptical-of-his-own-skepticism breed, very slowly handed over his guitar. Or was it someone else's guitar? I forget. Either way, as soon as this silly girl from out-of-the-blue got on stage, we were all hooked. She sung a sweetly sad song about her brother off in Iraq, as well as a song about walking all day. If she made a mistake, she would laugh, that kind of "oh, well shit on me, guess I'll keep playing" giant and carefree laugh that can warm even the coldest hearts.

There were a few other chance encounters... the first Globalista Jam, a performance of her "Lady in the Window" for Art All Night the following night, the first-ever recording session at avienani studios a few nights spent hanging out... and then, just as quickly, she was headed back to michigan...

So I'm done reminiscing, and insist that you now go check out her music. Be impressed, unless you can somehow avoid it. I couldn't!

Rob helped with the description: Jolie Holland and Jenn Gooch gave birth to Mazzy Star.
Is this a style of music? If so, call me a fan... Add to the bands in this genre: hope for agoldensummer Any other suggestions? Leave a comment!

If your ears are going to bleed the next day, at least enjoy yourself... Ikonoklast, AgnesWFS

2008-08-01T03:31:00.007-04:00

My ears are ringing! God, what a dreadful feeling. I went to bed listening to tiny welders trying to rebuild my eardrums. Really should invest in some earplugs, like a case, and carry them with me everywhere...

Rachel and I discussed this dilemma after the show (very loudly...). Down in Austin, where she now calls home, you can go to a metal show in a small bar, and still have your hearing when you leave! The music was adequatly loud, but because the sound techs are professionals, and understand how to saturate the sound without causing it to stick like napalm in your pores. I've tried to convince many a venue owner that a professional sound person is often more important than the gear, but that regardless, a bad sound can ruin a band.

Is this why Pittsburgh's scene gets a bad rep locally? I mean, it's certainly not for lack of talent in the bands department. However, the promotions department is surely lacking. Ikonoklast was a great band, treked from Phoenix, Arizona by way of Jersey to perform for all of 30 people. Agnes is one of the most talented local bands we've got. If it weren't for Agnes, attendance easily would have dropped into the low 1-digit. Chad designed a beautiful flier for the show and distributed it around town and on the Agnes myspace. That's always been his contribution, with most of the promoters he works with doing the online aspect. It works, but without the other bands or promoter doing their part, well... it's self-explanatory, really. There is no such thing as an easy gig for an up-and-coming band. Period.

So, Ikonoklast! Heavy! This band started their set with one of the most heavy guitar-industrial songs I've ever heard. It only took two songs to get the crowd moving, which is sometimes a feat for a band that is new-to-Pittsburgh. Talented musicians too, particularly the drummer, who was playing a kit along to a backing track - that's pushing a tight-rope walker out on a bridge of floss, or spinning fire... while eating it. Creative and energetic musician amongst company of solid performers.

This genre is really interesting, the metal-meets-industrial sound. It's heavy, loud and in-your-face, but very good to dance to. There were traces of classical elements in the backing track, and the singer was very black-metal. And their bassist had crazylong dreadies, which I felt an immediate lust for. It shouldn't suprise me much anymore, though, as heavy metal hair has diversified a lot since it's inception.

But, seriously... What's up with the band doing one cover (nine inch nails' Wish, one of my favorites), and then the audience demanding other covers? It got to an absurd level, starting off with chants of "Depeche Mode!" and ending with "Brittney Spears". C'mon people, they're obviously not a cover band!

Despite my criticisms of the event, I had a blast. What a wild and energetic AgnesWFS set! Dancedancedancegocrazydancydancy. Rachel taught me a few great new dance moves, including one that I dub the peacock and involves letting your hands flap around your butt. Not your average goth-industrial move, but a hell of a lot of fun to do! Ask me to show it to you next time we run into each other, it will put smiles on both our faces ;0)

Ultimately, it's probably best that most of the people there were die-hard fans (and how good to see the old heads!) Agnes has sounded much better, we don't need to have them loose their much deserved street cred due to a sadistic sound tech.

In related news: Howlers has a stage! Not just a platform with a snake running out of one side, but an honest-to-goodness stage! They opened up the door for loading out the back, added about 2 feet of height, and now have one of the nicest venues in Bloomfield. Go Jo!

Who's in the Header?

2008-07-31T14:10:00.000-04:00

Just designed a new header for this blog. It features some of my favorite performers, producers and projects from the city. OK, it's a bit sloppy, I'm working on it... This whole blogging thing is a lot harder than I thought it was gonna be!

In the meantime, here are the people pictured. Thanks to Kevin Ross, among many others, for being members of the Pittsburgh Paparazzi Project.

Agnes Wired for Sound

Between Liberties

Black Market Body Parts

Button Pusha

EMay (that's me in the top left spinning fire)

Iron City Underground Music

Pittsburgh Skyline

Ukulucky (Buddy Nutt and Ukulizzy)

Your Inner Vagabond

Zafira Dance Co.

My one hope, by doing this blog, is that my list of favorite things in Pittsburgh will expand well beyond this list (though it is much longer already, to be sure... these were just photos I had available). OK, my second hope is that fans and musicians and promoters and spaces can coexist in perfect harmony to create a perfect pittsburgh scene.... Did I mention I'm an optimist?

The Police = Arresting

2008-07-30T11:58:00.003-04:00

Har har har, how I do love those puns...

We missed most of Elvis Costello's set after getting side-tracked into West Virginia, because the idea of buying beer at a gas station is delightful to us drinkin' folks from Pittsburgh. And because, until walking towards the PGP, I didn't think I knew any of his songs. Of course, as soon as I heard "Allison, you know this world is killing you", the synapses began firing. I never knew how much I liked that song! The finalae I also knew, "(What's so funny 'bout) peace love and understanding", though I know it better as a Perfect Circle cover - a cover so good evocative that it is a bit hard to appreciate the original form. Obviously, I am in no great position to judge Elvis' performance, but it did seem everyone was having a great time.

After the perfect amount of time for a set-break (read: few were rushing to get back to their seats after the concession lines, few were still reeling from EC's set), The Police come on with "Message in a Bottle" to thunderous applause. They were last in town the year I was born, over 2 decades ago, and everyone - EVERYONE - from the bathroom to the front row, was singing along. Nice choice, guys.

Really, just a very tight and interesting set. A lot should be expected from veterans such as the Police, and a lot was indeed what they delivered. The highlight of the evening was a superb performance by drummer Stewart Copeland during "Wrapped Around my Finger". He started out playing on the 5'+ gong behind his drum kit, and proceeded to masterfully use every piece of percussion equipment on stage - which included many different types of

Perhaps the cheesiest moment was "Roxanne", where their stage show turned into entirely red-lights. However, I happen to enjoy good cheese. To the delight of all the 40-and-50-somethings that were getting higher than they have in years (I merely assume, due to the 2nd hand buzz I was getting), was a nearly Grateful-Dead caliber space-jam in the middle of this field of color.

Despite the wonderful evening, unless I get a full 8 hours of sleep the night before the show, I will not attempt to go to a PGP concert. We did a bit of fire-dancing in the parking lot, but left no later than 11pm. At 1:30, we arrived at home, after the insane amount of construction, car accidents, and intoxicated people slowing down to 40 to pass parked police. I could understand if the band was at the side of the road, but seriously people! If you were that drunk, you could've slept in your cars for a few hours. There were a group of young, intoxicated chaps hanging while we were fire dancing who were *smartly* discussing this option. And I didn't see their car making out with a guardrail. Way to ruin a great night for yourself, dumbass. However, if you were in this traffic too, I was talking about ramming my car into yours the whole way home (emay + tiredorhungry = mean ol' ho).

Ravenstahl, if you read this blog, please consider massive amounts of PGP traffic due to sold-out-near-to-Pittsburgh-shows when you schedule road construction. Please!!!!

House of Assassins, Buddy Nutt and the Gothees

2008-07-27T17:12:00.004-04:00

With an opener like Buddy Nutt, how could I possibly miss my first House of Assassins show?

I just found out recently that Buddy's first live performance was at an open mic I hosted at Squirrel Hill's tiny-and-sweet Te Cafe. He played a song on the saw, and we were impressed enough to call for an encore, but with a humble shrug he says "that's all i've got" and leaves the stage. A few months later, he shows up at the first Globalista Jam with a three-ended didgeridoo and proceeded to play a 10-minute instrumental piece that ended with coins spewing out the end all over the floor.

That being said, Buddy is one of the best entertainers in Pittsburgh. Whether his set is strictly his (un)usual one-man-band-insanity, or the even-more-wonderful experimental side of things, he has yet to disappoint an audience.

Saturday was no exception. Starting out his set by saying he's never peed on stage at the BBT (or any other BBT for that matter) was not his usual introduction, but you can never expect something to be expected at a BN performance. The set included most of my favorite songs, including "To Watch Her Blow", a sing-along song about a girlfriend who plays the euphonium, creates balloon animals, and acts in amateur porn); "Open Mic King", a telling song about a man ("say what?" "Buddy Nutt!") who goes from zero-to-royalty due to "this tiny guitar" (read: ukulele); and the "Ping Pong Song", which aptly describes a (different?) man's journey from the underbelly of American vices to the zen of table tennis. Yes, another extraordinary set from a man who is easily one of the best performers in Pittsburgh.

Additionally, his stage antics would teach even seasoned performers how to play off things you just can't avoid easily (like having to sound-check with an audience present, or having your phone go off in your pocket). I have seen people answer their phone on stage. This is simply a bad practice. Not only does it totally bore your audience, it also tells them that your friends don't even show up for your shows. The only time I've ever seen Buddy pull out his phone was at Lawrenceville's Art All night, where he followed the action with "It's my mom. I'll have to call her back." I'm actually convinced he was simply checking the time to see how much of it he had left. Bravo, Buddy, well played.

Comedian Zack Weston kept people laughing during the set breaks, with such humorous lists as World War II pornography titles ("Torpedo your U-Boat"), and names of songs on an if-I-wrote-a-blues album ("This god-damned train is too loud"). A story about the trash-eating lion at kennywood and a nasty little kid kept the audience in stitches.

The same cannot be said for the other comedians, however. Didn't quite get the mathematician humor, but perhaps I just need to be broken in to the idea of laughing at a math teacher talking about her students. I can't even remember what the third comedian was poking fun at.

The Gothees weren't all that much more impressive. Self-described as "bubble-goth", they may be interesting to someone who loves Bauhaus, has a fetish for cardboard cutouts, or secretly wants to play Theremin in a rock band. I fall into only the later category, and therefore cannot say a whole lot here without feeling like I'm talking without authority about something which I could simply care less about. In that case, on to something else to dig my teeth into...

House of Assassins' myspace page self-proclaims them as sounding like "Yinzer Bukowski". This simple statement helped bring about a thought I've been having for a while on Pittsburgh Music. Just refer to the city in a genre-title, and, to those in the know, it becomes a bit more defined. Devilish Merry as "Traditional Pittsburgh", Girl Talk as "Pop-burgh REEEmix", the 9th Ward as "Larryville Punk", etc. It's a nice reflection of the city, from the immigrant/freedom-trail/religious-mecca/nativeland roots, to our blue-collar golden-years (perhaps steel-years is a better choice for this), up to the present robo-silicone boom. There are so many small genres in Pittsburgh, and so many variants of the more common genres, that it may come as a suprise to folks from here and beyond that there is a common theme running through. We're from Pittsburgh, the music says it whether we do or not.

This genre may be even more real than that little synopsis. Ethnomusicologist Robert Metil has defined it for a class at Chatham College. I'm in the process of defining it in my own way, with an essay on the history of music in Pittsburgh. Give me a few years, though.

Featuring Jason "The Underwater Culpret" Baldinger on vocals, Rob "I Do Everything" Grey on bass, and Alan "Drummer" Butera, House of Assassins do have a true-to-yinz, interesting sound. There are elements of country and psych-rock that are obvious (and delicious, i say!), but dig a little deeper and you find some goth, punk, and vague trip-hop elements. Very Pittsburgh, to combine such diverse sounds. Or very dork-music-fans, as their collective album collections can attest to.

Chad described their sound as "Crunk Punk-try", which seemed very appropriate. We also decided that if Mazzy Star had in fact been three male love-children of O'Death and . However, I did not, off the top of my head, recognize any of their myspace influences.

HoA spent much of the night redefining what a beginning and end of a song should sound like (whether or not this was on purpose is still, from this vantage point, indeterminate). My only major tsk-tsk is that the audience mainly saw their backs. Even if that was on purpose, it still does a band no justice at all.

The audience very well could have been packed with a rowdy college crowd, screaming back the obscure and poetic lyrics while drinking. I do hope, come fall, this happens. This music would indeed go great in a dank and crowded basement with a few kegs of Pabst. Or licensed for Quentin Tarantino's next film.

"Singing like an Albatross at a funeral for a friend" : what a beautiful line! Chad thinks it was a Superman reference, which i could not validate as fact or fiction. HoA plays again at Howlers in Bloomfield on August 10th

An important note: Several ConclusionsRob Grey's haunting solo project should be immediately recognized as a force to be reckoned with. Another band that sounds very Pittsburgh, with a bit of old-timey roots, a few eerie samples, on a solid foundation of 90's alternative. I look forward to seeing this project progress.

As for "Maudeville"? Well, I am a bit miffed about the whole Bea Arthur, or Maude of Golden Girls fame, thing. After a bit of internet searching, it doesn't seem like she has the type of cult fan-base that would inspire whole evenings of bizzaro music at staple Pittsburgh venues. Perhaps that is just the point: find someone/thing interesting to idolize, find the best/most quirky parts of that person, and run with it. Create weird evenings. Call it beautiful. That I do like. Like Princess Di with less of the humanitarian aspect, or Harry Potter on a smaller scale.

After a bit more research, I find out that Bea is a renaissance woman not unlike myself: commedienne, singer, actress, activist. Call me converted!

Savage Chickens

2008-07-25T12:00:00.002-04:00

Centipede E'est and Japanther rock it like it's art

2008-07-24T17:13:00.001-04:00

I've found a new favorite place to see live music in Pittsburgh - the Carnegie Museum of Art's Sculpture Garden. On an evening when the stars are bright even through the trees, when artists, musicians and hipsters alike all come out to play, where better to combine cutting-edge sounds with visuals that speak distinctly of the contemporary culture.

While I'm ashamed to admit I missed the talk with Barry McGee , the art that he displayed really did speak for itself. Anyone who has ever experience "fine art" will know that this is not the most common of experiences. Barry, originally a graffiti artist and skater known as Twist, is a fine artist who has found and erased the line between "white cube" gallery art and "off-the-wall" commentary about art practices. Instead of taking grafitti, the actual art you'll find in city transit stations, train cabs or large warehouse walls, and creating it in the gallery, he instead turns the people involved into the art. With a human totem-poles of taggers to greet you as you enter his wing, you get the sense that he is not simply glorifying the punk and folk art sensibilities, but taking the purpose for tagging into the gallery: in his "anarchic multimedia installations", you will find discarded and recycled objects, archaically motorized wood-carvings, photographs of the homeless and property owners, and other oft' forgotten elements of urban culture. As the CMoA's website aptly says: "The temporality of his visual language and the immediacy of its communication convey a history that is continually written, erased, and written again."

Curator Douglas Fogle does a truly amazing job of pairing the outsider art mentality with one of the most reputable art galleries in the United States during Life on Mars, this year's Carnegie International exhibit. Until early 2009, the CMoA will remain a colorful and chaotic look into the bright and thriving underbelly of our culture, which has always been where art becomes birthed, demolished, and come again.

Funny enough, no piece summarizes the impending doom held onto strongly by the zeitgeist in quite a succinct a way as the billboard-like painting of radiohead-like words facing the sculpture garden. A definition of nihilism by Raoul Vaneigem painted by Christopher Wool, the statement resonates in these dark hours where we are plagued by fear, war, disease, and 2012's impending prophecies.

Oh, yes, ahem, this is a blog meant to be about music... Excuse me. But perhaps I will now introduce a concept which will also forever be embedded in this blog: Music exists because of life, because of every other element in our culture. While one man could forever play guitar in his room, the fact that music exists as it does comes from its roots in communication, celebration, exposition, or consolation. Without a continuous dialog, music would be talking to itself, and as poets know, poems about poetry are rarely engaging and often numbingly enraging. Even that man playing guitar in his room desires to perform, to share his musical story, and will not be complete until the circle is. Therefore, I will not simply write lingual songs about CD's I've listened to, but I will also strive to write about whatever it is that provokes music, and will focus especially on the moments in the crux, last night's concert being an ideal example.

Extreme Animals [Paper Rad] started the evening with danceable, catchy beats, and the unusually quirky energy. There were some moments that looked like low-budget theater or BFA performance art, and a few dance moves that looked like robots trapped in a broken human body. I was sorely disappointed with their inability to sync their backing-track rhythm with their live percussive elements. It just hurts my soul. But perhaps it was part of the aesthetic, as the Paper Rad American Art collective is known for its brightly contrasting colors and odd 80's-inspired 8-bit art. I wish their light show looked more like their website, as that may have kept my attention better. They did succeed in warming the crowd up for the next act...

Japanther, of NYC (because any band that comes from the big apple should put these letters at the end of their name, for the same reason a person with an advanced degree in their field can put PhD or MD at the end of their name: it (typically) proves that they have the guts and gusto to get to the top of their field). What was most stunning about this pop-punk phenomenon was that they *completely* tore down the illusive 4th wall that separates so many musicians from their audience. People were dancing on stage, and not just the occasional crowd-surfer that gets to be part of the act for a minute:everyone that was part of the audience was on stage dancing. While, at many shows, people are shooting photos for the whole set, there will be less "I was in the first row for this band" photos on myspace than there will be memories that read "we were banging on the band's drums", "here we are singing into the band's old-telephone microphones" and "dude, they were so rockin I had to give the drummer a massage during his set". In my case, I will even get to say "I rode a dinosaur."

Yes, I rode a dinosaur. Did Doyle, vagabond out of NYC, and creator of this awe-inspiring contraption, know that it would be just yards away from the natural science museum which holds one of the best dinosaur exhibits in the country? He did mention that it was touring next to the Seneca Reservation, where he was concerned that, since music was a language, and his dinosaur was an extreme machine dancing to the beat, it may not be received well. Not the case in Pittsburgh. This insane machine the best view of what was happening in the crowd, and it was also simply designed as to where I could open and shut the mouth, rear it's head right (and left when there weren't several people crowding the stage), lift it up and down with lights flashing on command. Whether or not it spoke of the beauty in the natural world, what a heck of a lot of fun it gave at least half a dozen brave souls (it was particularly scary to mount). They did receive one of the most unique concert-going experiences they will have in their lives.

What a hard act to follow. Who, without visuals like Sigur Ros or a stage act like Motley Crue, could bring more to that crowd? Centipede E'est, Pittsburghers who truly understand the pleasure of loud music. While Japanther's set was mostly a fun mosh-up of screaming punk sounds and extreme participatory stage antics, Centipede E'est rode the waves of music between thick, melodic rock and sparse, ethereal soundscapes. They sung, sometimes in the anthemic punk way, but it was secondary to these musical scenes they were creating, different with each song.

While listening to their set, there was a discussion about what happened to the Jam-Band scene, which still kicks around in the form that I listened to growing up, but is now more the butt of jokes than a scene anyone who's not drugged out wants to be a part of. Since I last attended a show by Moe. or the Disco Biscuits, the best musicians of this scene have split off into two distinct directions. The first direction, with keynote PA bands like As Human from Philadelphia (PHILA is becoming almost as notorious a postscript as NYC) and Omega Love from Pittsburgh (a scene perhaps to indy-DIY-fantastico to ever have this high-brow a reputation), relies on the same catchy hooks that music always has. The key to the successful bands here is simply talent: if you're a good musician, as are the two bands above, then the jammy parts work. If you're not, you are considered stoned-out losers these days (and while that was cool for musicians ten years ago, the times do change.)

The second direction, which Centipede E'est embodies nicely, is simply an extension of the far-out jams. It relies less on the hook, less on verse-chorus structuring, and more on the mood of the music. They take these space-jams and run with it, filling almost an entire set with punchy and groovy phrases that repeat until the scent on the wind takes them elsewhere. Depending on the band, the songs may be composed or entirely jams, but it appears CE falls nicely in the middle. They had the heavy-hitting rhythmic sections (which could have been better presented if the drums some additional amplification), strong melodic sections, and ambient noise moments: the best-of-the-best when it comes to jams. They also had one of the single coolest chimes to appear on stage: a simple 3-foot long-tube chime whose emboldened sound could be heard above 5 instrument cabinets.

I look forward to seeing Centipede E'est again with infamous Pittsburgh Rockers Don Caballero at Mr. Smalls on September 6th. In the meantime, check out this video:

Buddy Nutt & Ukelizzy at the Children's Museum

2008-07-23T14:00:00.002-04:00

What is the best meat to put in a day-sandwich, stuffed between slices of pouring-rain-on-a-bike and paying-a-sh*tton-of-loochie-to-get-your-license-reinstated? Ukelizzy and Buddy Nutt performing at the Children's Museum!

What an awesome backdrop for Buddy and Lizzy - less the kids, and more their parents who were totally engrossed. There was an explosion of kid-cheers from the side of the stage which got Lizzy to stop in the middle of the song, saying "I could've just kept going, but I wanted to hear that one through". And Buddy performed some of his more experimental songs, slightly reminiscent of the first Globalista Jam, which were perhaps more appropriate for kids, employing birdcall, saw and slide-whistle just slightly more than the delicious witty satire we've come to expect.

As usual, I hope to see much more from this delightful duo! Buddy performs this weekend at the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern with House of Assassins and the Gothees

WWWWWhy: July 21st - 27th

2008-07-21T12:55:00.009-04:00

If you're looking for things to do this week, feel free to join me...

W/W/W/W: SIC ALPS, Centepede E'est, Harangue, and Dean Cercone
Tuesday, July 22nd @ Garfield Artworks
Why? I've been told I need to check out Centepede E'est, a local experimental rock group making thick and solid glass-like waves on the underground scene. And because, as you may well know, the most strangely beautiful things come out of concerts at the GA.

W/W/W/W/: Buddy Nutt & Ukelizzy at the Children's Museum - Lunchtime Show

W/W/W/W: Sound and Vision: A Night With Barry McGee, Japanther, and PAPER RAD
Thurs., July 24, 8:30 p.m.: Discussion; 9:30 p.m.: Concert
Sculpture Court (rain location: Carnegie Music Hall)
((Curator Douglas Fogle teams up with Carnegie International artist Barry McGee for a conversation about his work and about artists’ responses to the phrase “life on Mars.” ))
Why? Centepede E'est is performing (See above). Also, artists talk!, seeing a concert at the CMoA, and an international exhibit bound to impress your inner rock star.

W/W/W/W/: Encyclopedia Destructica:: Release Party & Open Studio ~~ 156 41st Street, Lawrenceville
Friday, July 25th at 7:30 pm
Why? These are the same people who brought you "Wolfman's Got Nards! A compendium of New American Monsters". Also recommended if you like reading 'zines whose names are difficult to pronounce, and even more amusing to define.

W/W/W/W: Documentaries & Discussion at Your Inner Vagabond, July 25th: King Corn, The High-Price of Low-Cost; This Film is Not Yet Rated
Why? Showing your disgust with Wal-Mart by only shopping there at Christmas (maybe just a few other times a year)? The ghosts at Dixmont have been staging their own, more successful, rebellions.... And because my boyfriend owns a cornfield.

W/W/W/W/: Intro to Dragon Boating @ the Fox Chapel Yacht Club, 10am on Saturday, July 26th
Why? When else are you going to go Dragon Boating?

W/W/W/W/: House of Assassins, Buddy Nutt and the Gothees
WHY? House of Assassins, Buddy Nutt (and the Gothees)

W/W/W/W/: Blueberry Pie Hike with Venture Outdoors: Sun Jul 27: 3PM
Why? (insert any excuse for eating blueberry pie here)

W/W/W/W/: Blues Fest @ Hartwood Acres

Monday and Wednesday, Between Liberties will be in the studio recording a few extra tracks for our first little album due out in September. Stop by our myspace page to send your love!

"You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain"

2008-07-19T18:21:00.005-04:00

Time stops, when you experience something which resonates to your deepest core, beneath your physical or mental self. Time becomes motion. Our heart is what perceives this motion, physically experiencing this swirling energy. This living dance is what we experience, and how we perceive this experience sometimes tells us more about the experience than however we, individually, interpret it. (alas, perception is reality...)

When the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi first came to Pittsburgh, I believe in 2003, I had my first lucid experience of this idea. Sitting nearly on top of the stage, I had an incredible view. And, at the start of the performance, I watched these dancers twirl. I interpreted the sounds from the instruments, tried to learn about this foreign music from the notes they played. I read the messages of Sufism and the explanation of the inundated symbolism. I was quiet, and observed.

At some point in the performance, I was no longer sitting, no longer listening and observing. I understood, without the words on the screen, without the program in my hands. I became aware of the dancer's feet, the sound they made while pivoting. I became aware of their breathing, their very muscles. The glances shared, if any physical glances were shared, were another form of language. But the words they spoke were quiet, understanding, more about training and strengthening than mastering or perfecting. They were individual glances, but one that everyone on stage seemed to relate to. They were made by one person, but they were made also by the person receiving the gaze.

The dervishes danced, to be certain, but they danced to find the way they wanted to live. The lived so they could experience this dance. They shared it, not to perform, but to share. To train and strengthen us to the task of living. So that our lives could be this whole, this pure of intent and purpose.

I don't remember the show ending, though there may have been some confusion about applause, being that we are trained to applaud at things that are presented to us. Perhaps there were some applause, perhaps not. I was, again, sitting. But still I was not. The connection they forged was intact, long after they left the stage. And all I could do was continue perceiving, without action or judgment, but with the senses that I was born into.

My senses owned me, but they gave me back everything I would ever need.

And what I saw, what I heard, what I likely smelled, was people. Though people perceived as drops of ocean: people moved, they moved together, they created a crowd that then became its own being. The crowd dispersed. The smell of the crowd lingered. The sounds I was hearing was the band, still on stage in some indescribable way, mixed with mettled voices that were also still beside me. There was one man who stayed beside me, perhaps waiting for my experience to conclude, perhaps out of his own traditions. I looked at him, I believe, and I saw him.

We were the last in the house, people had begun cleaning up: a new type of ocean, this more atomic and scattered. More chaotic and sparse. More "job to be done" and less "now we discuss what we've just experienced".

I wonder if I've ever discussed this experience with people. I feel like I must tell them the moment I meet them, in some base way. It has, obviously, become a part of me.

So, when I dance, when I sing, I try to share this. Sometimes my ego, my consciousness, they get in the way. Occasionally, they help. But I find, when I get off course, a mantra: "Let the beauty you love be what you do" (also a quotation from Rumi, the Sufi mystic). Since, or perhaps due to, the dervishes: I understand that beauty. I seek it whenever I am making a conscious decision derived from the direction my heart is pulled.

Sense of time becomes an imposed moment of reflection. The world says, "Hey! Stop and think about this for a while. We'll make up the time for you." Much like the way adrenaline can change your perception to help you avoid automobile accidents. Much like the way intuition often seems to be just a thought out of time.

The Dark Knight served me with an imposition. "Think about Chaos, and Order. Think about it how you always have, but this time have some words for it. Give it a face, and a name, and understand the distinction between the two. Give it character - and understand that Chaos and Order are interchangeable."

They are, ultimately, reliant on each other to achieve their goals. One only makes a goal to superceed the other, to cling to inspiration and inclination in the first place. They can easily take the populous into this ocean, the ocean which is ultimately one or the other.

Within the Dervishes, like any production I've been a part of, is a great, and simple analogy. Work for the show, the chaotic appeal of starting with nothing. Then take this idea, for the sake of those who will eventually see it, and begin another grueling task of making decisions, sticking with schedules, ultimately making order from chaos. The show becomes all that matters, the penultimate judge for all decisions. And, the show from this angle also includes the audience. Faces, expressions, reviews, this sort of thing all get tangled up in what it means to be a successful show. And, typically, this side is looking for success.

The other side is, typically, looking for devastation. They walk into the situation with a clear grip on reality, as clear as any other day, expecting to be entertained. Sometimes expecting the unexpected, but more often than not expecting to have a similar reaction to the person who told them they should be there (or, if they're expecting to be telling other people their reactions, they are expecting to be moved. Frightened, enlightened, or at least amused.) In either case, knowingly or not, people enter with a sense of control, and leave with a perception entirely different. The more successful the show from the first category's point of view, the more changed the later category upon leaving.

Chaos, with a vision, is lead into order by our actions and decisions. Control is, by nature, always shattered by such direction.

This is, however, simply the world that I live in. Perhaps there are places where human beings experience life without a duality: Without having to decide between hero and villain. Where going with the flow is based less upon human experiences and more by the shape of the world. I think this is why I dance, why I sing. Feed from the flow, be grace to the space we are given. This is what I believe.

It is also why movies with such strong and believable characters, in this case personifying characters personifying the elements of our zeitgeist, are so devastating, so successful at portraying their message, so time-stopping and heart-pulling. These characters are simply doing what they have to do.

This is only the surface of an ice burgh that has, again, infected my soul with a knowledge of the world even I myself cannot fully comprehend. Ultimatly, it has brought out another mantra: "Be the change you wish to see in the world". Since I cannot see the world as a whole, I can only change those parts which I myself am pushing and pulling on. I only know what I want around me, what I am drawn to, which is more descriptive of myself than any other concoction of the imagination.

Any individual devastation can easily break any individual. That is part of the nature of our fragile existence. We feel these things deeper than words, deeper than what we can fix with science, organized religion, language, or other man-made things. Because the fabric that is broken is not man-made. And while these man-made things cannot fix this fabric, it can lead us to the truth, lead us to the fabric itself, which is mended at the moment of our visit. If we leave, that tear can return, as it surely does. But the more time we spend within these folds, feeling the fabric, the more at peace we can become with these personal devastations.

Perhaps the end of the human world as we know us is looming. It certainly feels like it. But is it our attachment to ourselves and our culture, or the loss itself, which causes the devastation? Is it the chaotic nature of the world or our fine-tuned reality which will receive the hardest blow? Or doesn't it always come full-circle in the end?

And how, in the name of Hollywood, can a feature film tap me into Buddha's well? Believable characters, brilliant special effects, and a superbly developed plot line. Bravo to the entire production team of The Dark Knight. 10/10.

http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/media/production/tdk-production-notes.pdf

Born on the Fourth of July!

2008-07-11T14:39:00.004-04:00

That's me! This past few weeks were great cause to celebrate, as it is my birthday, Chad's birthday, our anniversary, both of my niece's birthday, and about 20 other birthdays and holidays. It's been a crazy long time, but I got to spend a good amount of time writing new songs, thinking about what I want out of my life, and thinking about Pittsburgh from afar. This city is great in so many ways, but it also needs our elbow grease to make any kind of gears that move.

My niece Michelle has been practicing with her bands at a space called Band Stand Live. What an artistic utopia! An all-ages all-the-time venue that had art hanging, practice spaces, a recording studio, and supported local musicians. They pay musicians based on their draw, and sound like they can offer riders and guarantees to some touring acts as well.

Why not Pittsburgh?

The Creative Treehouse in Bellevue does a great job for artists, dancers, photographers and designers. There is one more floor that needs a bit of work to become fully functional as a performance space too. This is a good start though, and I suggest everyone check it out.

Mr. Smalls funhouse is a great stage with full a/v options, a recording studio, and artists lofts. There are practices spaces that are communal, you have a set time to practice every week, though most of the lofts are more studios anyways. It's just a nearly-inaccessible space for local musicians to perform at. However, I do believe in setting goals for yourself, and I have (twice) seen a local showcase pack the joint. I have seen many others who have fallen very short of that.

Smalls does have an interesting project with comcast to showcase the local acts on the television giant's "My Town" on-demand station. Artists get a short interview aired, followed by a few live songs. It's pretty neat to see these bands on TV, I will admit, having re-watched a Phat Man Dee / Celloforte / Ishtar / Bicicleta Blanca / Ana Vey show shortly after seeing the real deal. The interview was cute, and these acts may be the only 5 in Pittsburgh able to hold their own to a Q&A session. Props to Mandee for setting it up, and to Smalls for doing what they can.

Ultimatly, it is simply hard for fans to access the music. The radio stations in Pittsburgh play little local music (though some of them, WYEP as one instance, do have an end-of-the-year review that will feature a top-local-picks list. Bands often site the venues as being counterproductive or even discouraging, which I cannot entirely deny, but I say if a band is willing to do a lot of legwork, or find a friend or fan who will help out, the possibilities will open up. Bu fanst, with only a few places to read about music, hardly anywhere to hear it, and the ability to make their own with garage band or find good live shows on youtube, a band also has to be damn good. It's the combination of a damn good band and a talkative fanbase that is rare in this city. And unless you're getting reviewed in the City Paper (or your college's alumni magazine, like Cellofourte), you don't have me convinced that you're trying hard enough. And if you are, well, that still doesn't mean you're any good.

As a side thought, I realized recently how hard it was for people to get around this city. Pittsburghers hate going through a tunnel or a bridge to get somewhere, and avoid these places as much as possible, although at least one out of every three roads comes equipped with these barriers. Sigh. As the hours went by in Boston, I realized just how often I drove 45 minutes to get somewhere. Every day, many times a day often. And it was always worth it.

PS - I got Chad a bike for his birthday. He got me a unicycle and a poi practice video. Look for our traveling circus on a potholed street near you.

San Fransicso knows where Pittsburgh is on a map!

2008-07-01T12:45:00.004-04:00

So far, this blog is pretty much just about things seen in-the-flesh in this city, but having just been turned on to Girl Talk, a crazy mix-and-match sampling musician from Pittsburgh, I happen to stumble across a blog from a Pittsburgh-bred Friscan. In the interview, the two discuss the scene here in the burgh, with an eye not unlike my own...

A: Was the Pittsburgh scene—what do you think of the Pittsburgh scene, basically?

GT: Right now?

A: Yeah.

GT: I think it’s great. I’m not part of any scene, necessarily, but I’m friends with a lot of bands and there aren’t other people that sound like me in the area. You know what I mean? There’s plenty of other electronic acts and plenty of other weird bands; there’s plenty of DJs, but there’s not a crew doing this sort of thing, which, I think is good and bad. I think it’s healthy to have your own world to be in. And that’s the best thing, I think, about Pittsburgh: there’s a whole bunch of weird and great bands here, but no one sounds like anyone else. It’s easy to start a band and no even worry if you’re crampin’ anyone else’s style. Yeah, I think it’s really good right now. There are a bunch of bands making a dent a national level like Zombi, and Grand Buffet, and Modey Lemon, and Wiz Khalifa. Those are, like, rap groups and bluesy garage bands and psychedelic bands. It’s all over the map and everyone’s kind of doing their thing and everyone’s kind of friends with each other, but no one necessarily—there’s not too camaraderie as far as—people support each other but it’s not like there are too many Pittsburgh-based tours or anything. The bands individually are all doing their own thing and it’s cool: my next upcoming Pittsburgh show, I’m playing with a whole bunch of random acts and they’re all different genres and are all my friends, all doing pretty cool things with their bands...

Read the whole darn thing

Best in the 'Burgh showcase

2008-06-28T13:18:00.005-04:00

Between Liberties was invited to be a part of a series called "Best in the Burgh", whose fourth event occurred last night. Typically, I am skeptical about singer-songwriters getting together to promote the singer-songwriter genre, for the same reason my college poetry professor abhorred poems about poetry: self-referential rarely means insightful or inspiring. People who want to pay a few bucks to see music want to *enjoy* it, and unless you're REALLY F*ING TALENTED, they don't want to see your up-and-coming days (c'mon, you know all S/SW's want a full band backing their songs) . Plus, I'm talking talented like Tracy Chapman, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen... you see? These kind of talents are few and far between, and take a lot of honing to become the stars whose names we all recognize (or, in LC's case, a mishap during surgery which accidentally changes the timbre of your voice). They don't show up at every singer-songwriter jam, they just don't.

This is why open stages are a great thing for singer-songwriters: they give a chance for an audience of (primarily) musicians to see them, critique their work, network, perhaps band up and play together (this is how Between Liberties formed, after all). But, when we're talking "showcases", singer-songwriters just don't draw a crowd beyond friends and family. And, if you're not a performer, let me tell you that it flat out sucks to pay to perform. It sucks to have your friends pay the venue for "giving you a stage", when you have to pay your tab, for your SO's ticket, in addition to your guitar and years of therapy. That's why many of us stay on the songwriting end: the energy and charisma it takes to perform often and well enough to draw beyond this built-in crowd is draining, not always rewarding, sometimes humiliating, and almost always life-consuming. Performers are a rough and tough breed, because we have to be to pursue our dream.

With that said, I typically choose not to be a part of a show which bills itself as a singer-songwriter showcase unless I think it will be awesome (I had this accurate hunch with the BitB show), or if I have something to do with the project. Like the Calliope Songwriter Circle CD release parties, the last of which put Sam Flesher, Peter Donovan and David King on stage at Your Inner Vagabond. While I'm on this subject, what a fantastic show: 2 of the 3 performers brought along accompanying bands; the crowd was of moderate size, but VERY APPRECIATIVE of the witty, engaging songs that these performers wrote. They audience came to listen, something which, for the reasons above, can be hard to come by for the singer-songwriters.

And as a mid-side note, one which will negate most of what I've said already, I've always been impressed with the caliber of the songwriters in Pittsburgh. Many of the older guys in the Calliope SWC have their heritage in the steel industry (like the wonderful Bruce Hoffman, who has kindly asked me to appear on his upcoming CD), and write songs about the working life and hard times in a way just as convincing as Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. These folks are not concerned about "hitting the big time" like a lot of the young folks, but about sharing their stories with other people who will listen and share their own stories. Now, like myself, there are a handful of women and young folks in the crowd, and many of their songs are likewise very honest and touching. Sue Gartland's sweet brand of folk music/stories of growing older and reflections on having children make me excited, nervous, and glad about eventually doing the same; Cathy Stewart's gritty country ballads are just flat out rockin'.

The Songwriter Circle's open-mic host and fearless leader, John Hayes, not only writes some of the most amazing songs I've heard come out of a Pittsburgher (like my favorite, with the chorus line "You can fuel the fight or you can fuss all night, but people have the right to be wrong", about socio-political differences and how it's divisionary nature is humorous, albeit painful at times), but he also provides insight to artists who are pursuing their dreams, helping them to recognize strengths and weaknesses that are not easily perceived from the inside. He has been a great mentor for me, and I know am not the only one who can say the same. John's CD release party for Midnight Cabaret shows just how good he is at picking up on talent: with four of the finest singers in the city appearing on the album, he had each of their personalities and strengths on display simply by giving them the songs which suited them best (Gail Novak got the sassy, funny songs; Autumn Ayers sang the songs of youthful honesty; Daphne Alderson sang songs that reflected depth and knowledge of a seasoned professional; and Christine Laitta got the theatrical character-pieces). If you know any of these singers, or you are a musician who has talked with him yourself, you know how spot-on John Hayes is.

Ahem...

With that (excessively) full disclosure out of the way, let me say that last night's BitB showcase was *phenomenal*. Joel Lindsey, a man of excessive talent himself, managed to pick a wonderfully diverse and exceptionally talented group of performers for the showcase. Joel's band was a lively accompaniment to them, and his addition of a Djembe player (not just a guy with a djembe, but one who makes music with the instrument), was perfect, really. As a duet, Joel and Jim were almost too talented for this small city, and when news of their 3rd piece came about, I thought to myself "he's got to be at least as good as these guys to have them stay afloat". Last night, I was not disappointed in the least, and I have a hunch that Boulevard of the Allies will travel a distance much farther than Downtown-to-Greenfield.

In addition to Between Liberties, the project I live and dream, there were (in order of appearance):

Sense in December - What a talented group of teenagers. Yes, these guys are bound for glory. As I assume they just graduated from high-school, their future is bound to be uncertain. However, I have no doubt that these guys, individually or in whatever form they pursue, could continue writing excellent pop-rock tunes for a long time to come. Their lead guitarist seemed to have an ear well beyond-pop-rock, throwing in a bits which were perhaps flamenco-inspired, perhaps inspired by rock and roll from well before they were born... These guys are who I am listening to while writing this blog, and while I can't say I've ever been a big fan of the emo-inspired genre, it is appropriate for that age group at this moment in time, and their singer was singing good lyrics which fit for the genre. It is a great amalgam of talents, and they meshed well, which is really the most I can ask for from any musicians, age aside.

Exit 57 - Molly Rae and her band came straight from music school, it is no surprise, they were a solid group of musicians writing songs about sensitive and important things most songwriters won't address. During their set, though, I was having problems with the sound: it's hard to take excessive boom out of a vocal performance when the voice is already a high-pitched one. It seems weird to take out all the low-ends on a voice like Molly's, but it would have made the most sense. My props to the sound man for doing a damn good job with all these performers, though. And I'll just tell you now that it sometimes really sucks to be a sound-tech while watching a show, just for these nit-picky reasons that most people will never think to notice... Still, Molly's expressive performance distracted me plenty from my sound-girl ears. Think Tori Amos, I think.

Derek Dysart - I can't really say anything pro or con about these guys, just that we must think on the same plane. Two days ago, Wytold (BL's cellist) and I found ourselves in front of a store display advertising color-therapy sunglasses. After many jokes about gonads and seeing god, we decided it would be fun to wear all-black and these sunglasses while on stage. Derek Dysart performed before us, however, donning the same sunglasses (one pair even the same color as my own), and it fit their cock-star all-the-girls-want-me persona way better than ours. So, half ashamed and mostly amused, we left the sunglasses off (we forgot to wear all black anyways). I could see people enjoying DD's songs, but I just couldn't get over the synchronicity of the sunglasses.

Christopher Laughry - we were getting ready for our set at this point, but what I caught of Chris and his companion, they were tried and true musicians who loved what they were doing. It came through in their songs and their performance, which was really nice!

The Lost Sea - Touching music, really. I enjoyed these songs thoroughly, despite having packed away most of my cry-myself-to-sleep music for the winter. I was disappointed, perhaps, with the fact that the singer wasn't at all interested in tuning his guitar on stage, and announcing this to an audience which contained a lot of musicians ("so rock and roll" said Chris of Boulevard of the Allies... but was it that kind of music?). Really, it's just nice when musicians value their music enough to value their audience's ears. Also, I can totally appreciate an artist not wanting to chit-chat with riff-raff after a show, but when I say "hey man, really enjoyed the tunes" and the response is a "here's our demo. it's not mastered yet" as a free, un-packaged CD gets pushed in my hands, well, it kind of turns me off to the idea of, you know, going to the release party, or approaching him again for, say, booking a show together. Perhaps they just weren't in the mood to make good first impressions, though, and I'll try not to hold it against them.

Nik Westman and the Central Plains - What a pleasant surprise, an old pal from open mic's past joins with his full band (a more acoustic-version than usual, apparently), and had such a great sound. What do they sound like? Well, the Central Plains, of course, perhaps the view from the back porch. A real and honest sound, gritty at times, bluesy at others, but mostly a low-key rock (not soft-rock, mind you, there were no keys or excessive backup vocals), chill and good spirited. Nik and his band mates are talented, to be sure, and are also good and kind people too, something I never ever take for granted.

The Deceptions - While I was perhaps too warm and burnt-out of good music (my ears get tired after hour 3) to truly appreciate their set, and instead mostly appreciated fresh air, I will say that the songs I saw of the Deceptions were rockin. The accordion was a great addition to a rock-and-roll set (who would've thunkit?). Solid, good ol' soft rock sound.

So, hurrah Joel, for an excellent evening of entrancing music, and I wish you continued success in your musical career. I will use my enjoyment of the evening as an excuse to ignore the bands' misguidance of the financial particulars of the charity... Just, as constructive criticism, try not to announce these accidentally during the show.

Uni & Tippy Canoe

2008-06-23T15:26:00.006-04:00

Last night at Your Inner Vagabond, the stage was graced by some dynamic and magnetic women. On tour from San Francisco, Uni and Tippy Canoe performed pass-the-baton style for an enthusiastic and attentive audience here in the 'burgh, with our very own Midge Crickett performing her tear-and-knee-jerk original tunes. I laughed, I cried, I danced. What more could a gal ask for on a Sunday evening?

Before the show, I was unaware that the uke was an instrument born from Portugal. What a country, this Portugal! How fitting to also have the lovely and evocative paintings of Portugese painter Joana Ricou lining the walls of YIV. And one step beyond that, the evening and the art resonated within this sense of feminine power: not in the attention-demanding, confusion-inducing, end-all-to-be-all way that masculine power has become in our current patriarchy. No, it was much more of a "we are beautiful, yes, and we have much control over our lives and our situations, sure. But we do what we do out of authority, as we understand ourselves and the ways of our world in the simplest way: by growing up female."

If that doesn't make sense (I'm still deciding if it does for me), perhaps it is also apt to describe this feminine energy as one that frees minds to dreams, hopes and possibilities, while grounding us in the reality that everything we do ultimately effects all of existence. It is an intelligent power, one with the grace and security of trees.

Opening the set on her Cello, Midge Crickett set the night on fire. She is full to the headstock of witty observations, clever connotations, and awkward hilarity. Song themes range from being state educated (and therefore never quite knowing what to call the country or the people of Prague) to pirate shanties about skin afflictions and STD's (a character piece of the highest order). A perfect pick for any cabaret event, your next house party, or opening for a famous stand-up comic: Midge Crickett is a songstress and performer ready to write songs and shed humor upon whatever wacky thing life throws at us.

Uni's ukulele jack got jacked (appropriately enough), so she was instead billed as Uni & Tippy's Ukulele. Having recently left her job at the awesome Amoeba Music in San Francisco to pursue her musical dream, her first step was booking a European tour! What awesome gonads, girl! A song which describes this reach for the stars held the line "What is most important can take a while." An insight of wisdom that more people should reference.

Atop her beautiful performing style, her grace on stage, and her fun, inspiring songs, what struck me most was her voice. With a delicate control which often reminded me of Joana Newsom, she embraced the full range of emotions, topping out at a wail akin to Alanis Morissette or Ryat of As Human. For those of you who know my taste in female vocalists, you know how much I appreciated Uni's dynamic stylings. And if you don't know my tastes, perhaps it is best said that I have no doubt in my mind that Uni and her delightful ukulele could ensnare an audience of any size, in any country, at any time in history.

While it would be unfair to judge dear Tippy Canoe's voice or performance, simply due to a killer case of the plague she picked up on tour, I still have much praise for her. She chose to still perform as well as her voice would let her, and she did it with a sense of humor and graceful wit, advising the audience to refer to her as Mr. Waits, and sipping off a small flask of "Canadian perfume" for healing purposes. Also a particularly friendly and open person, something this agent *never* takes for granted, I do hope she returns to Pittsburgh with her voice and her band, The Paddlemen.

Video of the YIV show:

Agnes Wired for Sound at Elise's Playground

2008-06-23T14:23:00.010-04:00

Saturday evening at Mr. Smalls was a great opportunity for me to explore a world I've been dabbling in coffeehouse-style over the past few years. Running sound for Agnes Wired for Sound let me see the effect a big stage with a large, quality sound system has on a group of dancing folks. It also let me chat with one of their resident sound tech's, who has been a tour manager and sound tech for reputable bands like H.I.M. and reputable venues like CBGB's. As these are both things I'd enjoy doing at some point in my career, it was nice to meet someone who had balanced both and was enjoying the life (and not to the fault of excess, as many others I have met). He was a great help in running a board I had not been previously introduced to, but he handed it over to me at the beginning of the Agnes set - something I have found too few men are willing to do.

Agnes Wired for Sound is a band that has gone through enough changes that we may as well say they are well into young-adulthood. No longer a young band constantly struggling with equipment and lineup issues , no longer an adolescent band reveling in a growing notion of celebrity, no longer a college-aged band indulging beyond their physical capacity: Agnes is now a full-fledged band, ready to stand the test of time to the world they present themselves to.

Some background for newfound Agnes fans: Having gone through an extremely difficult loss of former front-man Ben Bloom at the preparation of their debut album, their future was uncertain for the past few years. Some friends and fans of Mr. Bloom's were hesitant (some even opposed) to supporting AgnesWFS in continuing their musical journey. The band, of course, went through many of these same debates, and knew that regardless of anything else, Ben would have supported their decision to keep the music on. And we, their die-hard fans, are glad they did.

Mike of Opus One Productions, a promoter who seems to be great at assessing risks and still bringing the most interesting shows possible to his audience, asked me where AWFS was making waves. Having worked with an amazing cadre of headlining acts and sideshow performers, I would say they are certainly one of the most talented and hard-working groups in this city. Pittsburgh has also embraced Agnes WFS's new lineup, encouraged their forward-motion, and danced their asses off. HEY AGNES, WE WANT YOUR 2ND ALBUM ALREADY! After that, we want you to tour your asses off to share the exciting and interesting music we in your hometown have grown to expect from you.

If you came to the Smalls show as a fan to dance and sing along, as a musician who's interested in studying the often complex structures, or a reviewer looking for the next hot thing, you got what you wanted. With all due respect to the touring acts, Agnes stole the show.

However, we can't ignore the magnetic appeal of the Elise's Playground fetish performance. Another fantastic show from the ladies-and-gents of EP. Ms. Elizabeth Couteau was the archangel of the evening: she performed a burlesque dance during Agnes WFS's cover of Concrete Blonde's "Bloodletting", acted as head Dom during the Hansel and Gretel themed performance, and choreographed the set. An amazing performer with a stage (or, in this case, floor) presence, I can't say I've ever met a woman who could make getting beaten up look so appealing. Her co-conspirators were likewise excellent for the parts, and I might even say I was a bit jealous ;0) I mostly enjoyed the intimate, "hey this is for real" nature of the performance on the floor, though it is hard to keep everyone in the audience happy when they can't see every spank.

The whole evening is a fun chance for big kids to play dress up - Big Kid style. Like, "hey, I like you, and I would enjoy leading you around by a leash all night. Cool?" However, even my bandmates made it down, and I'm assuming they've never been to anything like this. But they seemed to enjoy themselves quite a bit! EP provides a fun, relaxed, entertaining, and non-threatening environment(unless you're being chased by a 24" sticky dildo... but what can I say, I get myself into these situations...)

It always pays to be present at any Elise's Playground or Agnes WFS show. While my video of the evening didn't turn out so well, check out this video I took at an Agnes show back in April (?), featuring a totally impromptu performance from many dancing ladies, including Melissa of Ishtar, Ms. Couteau, and yours truly (I can't be let out of the house... Just discovered this photo on the internet while looking for good pix of EP.. hahaha!).

The Gypsy Nomads

2008-06-14T15:23:00.008-04:00

Another lovely band to grace the stage at Your Inner Vagabond. This kind and artistic duo was a pleasure to watch, not only because their stage presence and songs were exquisite, but also as an inspiration to expand my percussion on stage during solo shows.

French-born nomad Samantha was a beautiful singer, dancer, and percussionist. She passed out shakers and tambourines during one song (which the audience played and even ended on cue - amazing!). She spoke only french during their second set.

Scott not only played guitar, percussion and looped (and sang on a few songs), he also designed the beautifully sensual and psychadelic artwork which graced their merch table (some of which I have hanging on my wall at the moment). Lovely poses of bodies turning into trees which then grow fingers.

Love it!

We recorded their set with our Zoom H3 and a video camera, and will get some of that goodness up. In the meantime, please enjoy this clip:

As Human / Kilo from Philadelphia

2008-06-11T15:11:00.010-04:00

I've found some kind of amazing solace in this band. Saw them first at the Thunderbird opening for Omega Love. Blew away my idea of what a TBird show could be (and I've seen some great shows there). It is hard to keep your eyes off a band with a presence this engulfing, and with eyes front-and-center, the caliber of these musicians was clear. While most jammy-bands can lose an audience who isn't already lost in a haze, these guys could take you on the most far-out trip without a drop of anything mind-altering. Their ability to stay solid in the emotive elements of the trip is something that few bands can claim, and it was clear that the band themselves were bringing this experience to you from that far-away place accessible exclusively to artists, the enlightened, and the f'd-up.

Yesterday, I found myself writing a song they could perform, and realizing how much Ryat's vocals have stuck with me since their show. She was doing something so timelessly experimental - yet so forwardly *now*. Perhaps she was the inspiration for my new loop-pedal toy, perhaps my future inspiration for a KAOS pad. Inspirational, regardless.

As Human (they were Kilo when I saw them there) is celebrating their debut CD release on June 21st, and if you're anywhere close to Philadelphia at that time, I insist you go. I will reimburse you for your ticket if you think they were not worth every cent of your $12. Regardless of my comments earlier, if you happen to imbibe in any kind of psychotropic substances, I would encourage it. Your paradigm would most certainly be shifted.

you can't beg peace

2008-06-03T19:58:00.000-04:00

& with that, an initial thought for the evening: Perhaps there is a place for the jerks in your day. The title of this blog is from a man we'd perhaps rather not encountered, the evening would have been clear of bad encounters of the human kind. However, you learn a little bit about how to be a better person, how to lead a life you can stand behind in the morning.

It's nearly 4am (and I haven't been online at 4am since college, I think). The last time I kept a blog, it was for the same purpose, in a sense. Writing is a good way to help sort things out in your head, and when it's in a public forum, it has to be honest or well written to get your point across. I often err on the side of creative writing, letting the feeling of the words tell as much as the story they hold. Ultimately, it is best for working things out, for expressing emotions and feeling the resonance. Getting beneath the skin. Hopefully thinking, sharing, understanding. What better lovers than words and human understanding?

What I didn't quite grasp at the time was how much the things I was trying to understand directly effected what I saw next. Perception is reality. How much more related could all these things be? Each step of understanding does that though, pushing closer the similar things. Different layers of light, but the same source, eventually. The speed of the vibration.

So, if I can dedicate this first blog in a new era of my blogging - it will be towards trying to dig deeper into these things that I want to spend my life digging into. Anger breeds deeper hate, pain induces suffering. Even under the guise of eventual improvement, building with the negative never could create the positive. Perhaps I will find my way of writing on music, art, good people, things that remind me of the beauty in humanity, the EARTH and all the different ways to interact with the natural world, the ways that the human world dances with the natural world. Wires, math, science, psychology, memory. Life and Death. Gods and Demons. Not negative or positive, but at least, to some vantage point, very real.

It starts so close to home. The things we love. Bang! So big or small, visible and invisible. Again, the speed of the vibration.

Initially, it would have started with a review of a band who performed at Club Cafe not so many weeks ago - Consider the Source. On a Wednesday night, the last day of their tour, they roughed it in Pittsburgh before returning to the belly of the beast in NYC. With all honesty: I see music several nights a week, some excellent bands both locally gigging and internationally touring. Few have stuck with me like this band. While their disk is an excellent display of talents in the songwriting and instrumentalist areas of musicianship (as well as a fine example of a well-produced, good sounding disk) - seeing them live was something that I suggest everyone do in their lives.

Other performing artists I have said this about include Radiohead, Tool, Buddy Nutt, Zafira Dance Company, The Who, Pilobolus, and Michael Franti / Spearhead. Not playing their music or doing a dance, these artists are exploring themselves, sharing their perception of the world, and growing with an infinitely-expandable fan base. They are forces in the universe that are meant to shape future generations, regardless of their own short time. We have the opportunity, if we choose, to share the experience with them.

Still feeling as though I exist outside of Metamorphose, beautiful gazes and dancing being directed towards the music. Knowing that I would be happy to spend my life on stage, participating in nights that hold these encounters, creating this music that is beyond us always. Thinking of my lovely band, (their beautiful other-halves) and the individuals that each of them are. How different could three people get while there is a core so similar, built upon the same foundation? We breathe this music, it goes beyond "hobby" or "job", it is a necessity. All of us can recognize it. We cannot stop creating the music, at the sake of three individual views of what should come next for "me". At times, we share the same methods for falling out of focus, but it only builds these muscles, it only expands our notion of living. And what else is the music but a reflection of this?

I look forward to doing it again tomorrow, an afternoon concert outside the ELP Church with the gyroscope and the maze. It couldn't help but be a beautiful afternoon. Art Cubed begins without a hitch, from this angle.

Thinking of Helen, after a conversation that could just never be long enough. Also Alexi and Erik, two of my main inspirations to keep writing, and for what different of reasons. And to all the people who I feel this will lead itself to; those who love their home, this idiosyncratic angle, complex-simplicity: I think of you always.

Pittsburgh Resources

2005-09-16T09:13:00.000-04:00

Arts Supporters
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Pittsburgh Arts Council

Music / Arts / Crafts Festivals
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Pittsburgh Regatta
Art in the Park

Cultural Landmarks / Resources
Phipps Conservatory
The National Aviary
The Pittsburgh Zoo

Neighborhood / Business Celebrations
Doo Dah Days (Lawrenceville)
Co-Op Art Harvest

Cultural Festivals
Pittsburgh Folk Fest :

Cultural Organizations :
Latin American Cultural Union

Neighborhood Organizations
Regent Square Association
Highland Park Civic Council

Performing Artists
Zany Umbrella Circus: http://www.zanyumbrellacircus.com/

Traditional Music, Dance & Events
Global Beats : http://www.globalbeatspitt.com/ (Brazillian Dance Night)

Bellydance
http://www.pghbellydancers.com/
http://www.zafiradance.com/
http://www.khafif.com/

Fire
http://www.joyofpoi.com/