Jesse Marchant of JBM and Zach Rogue of Rogue Wave
I almost decided not to go to this, as the band I was most interested in seeing (the openers) pulled out at the last minute. But then I had a listen to JBM (Jesse Marchant) and was instantly drawn in to his intimate songwriting style and warm, inviting voice. I also liked what I heard of Rogue Wave, though I was previously unfamiliar with them. I figured “what the hell, I’ll make the drive down”. Good call.
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Dawes at Great Scott
I can’t think of a nicer way to reward oneself for making it this far through a cold and nasty winter than heartfelt heartland Americana and a warm blast of California sunshine. What an inspired triple bill – Jason Boesel (part of a recent Laurel Canyon musical resurgence along with his friends from Dawes), plus Corey Chisel & the Wandering Sons, who hail from Appleton, Wisconsin, but share their love for upfront, honest and unpretentious lyrics, warm and sincere harmonies and soulful alt-country melodies. A beautiful evening of music that felt like a big, warm hug.
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Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys
A most unusual and extraordinary evening of carnival, cabaret and social commentary, the perfect musical accompaniment to the controlled chaos that so often transpires inside my brain. Imagine a lifetime of scream-therapy; Cirque de Soleil, a tawdry Parisian brothel, and the Victorian Era; Dead Can Dance, an apocalyptic Hans Christian Anderson, and Democracy Now, stuffed into a dimly-lit hat box, and you’ll maybe come close to my experience seeing Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darling; Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys; and H.U.M.A.N.W.I.N.E. at the Church of Boston Saturday night…
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Asa Brebner and some of his Family Jewels @ Precinct
Trying to discover that cool new indie band just ahead of everyone else is all well and good, but sometimes it’s nice to put on some comfy clothes, head on down to the basement of the old Somerville police department, and listen to some good old time rock ‘n’ roll. And sometimes it’s nice to see people past the age of 25 kicking it out past 1am. Actually, it’s really nice to see that. So it was at Asa Brebner‘s CD release party for Sueños De Los Muertos.
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Sean Walker, Kelly Winrich, Brandon Young, Matt Vasquez, and Jon Jameson of Delta Spirit.
A wonderful evening at the cozy Middle East Upstairs with L.A. bands The Willowz and Delta Spirit. It was really great to be able to see Delta Spirit after getting a small taste of their music via a guest appearance from Matt Vasquez at a recent benefit show in Los Angeles that was (very happily) webcast in the middle of the night…
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Laura Jorgensen, Mighty Tiny, H.U.M.A.N.W.I.N.E.
The most surreal of evenings began the moment I arrived at cafe 939’s Red Room. This utterly delightful and intimate (200-capacity) Twin Peaks-inspired venue immediately put me in the perfect mood for these amazingly talented otherworldly performers.
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Camper Van Beethoven at the Middle East Downstairs
One of a long list of bands I had heard of throughout the years, but never got around to seeing, Camper Van Beethoven has been around since the early 80s (they celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2008), performing their unique wicked-eclectic style of genre-fusing… well, I suppose one can loosely call it rock, for the sake of referring to it as something, though it’s actually many different, wondrous things.
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The Wrens
Hanging out with a bunch of folks at The Field before the show, we were talking about The Wrens. I was completely unfamiliar with this band I was about to see, though intrigued with their music and their story. It’s an all-too-familiar tale of mishaps and missteps, navigating the treacherous music biz in search of that elusive “big $$ recording deal”, though informed with a particularly charming, older-and-wiser cynical as hell world view. They’ve been performing (and on the rare occasion releasing something) since 1989, and a particularly dedicated Wrens fan who had driven up from New Jersey for the show marveled at their longevity, “they’re really old – they’re in their 40s!” (thank you honey, excuse me for a moment while I go slit my wrists). Fortunately, The Wrens (and I) have a sturdy and time-tested sense of humor, and after seeing their full-on crazy and wildly energetic, sweeping and majestic, ultra-classy performance, I’m very glad to have gotten out of my rocking chair to come out to see them. A new fan is born.
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by Tammy Asaki — Huntington Beach, CA
I had the pleasure of attending the Artists in Aid Benefit on Friday. It was held at Edgar Varela Fine Arts Junglerush gallery in Los Angeles, which was a very cool venue for this event. There was a cozy outdoor patio where people could hang out on couches and chat and smoke under red paper lanterns and moonlight. Upstairs was the loft where the bands played surrounded by pieces of art from artist, Tommy Mose Abbot. An open bar and free wine tasting provided for a lively atmosphere.
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Amidst crackling bolts of lightening, swerving madly to avoid large lakes forming in the streets, I was careening down from the North Shore in a torrential downpour to see Switchfoot at the Paradise in Boston. I amusingly thought of biblical analogies, apocalyptic epic floods and such, but given the band’s Christian rock beginnings, as much as I appreciate a helping hand when facing down that scary first paragraph, that was just too easy.
This is not the sort of band I would normally trumpet praises for. It’s less the “Christian rock” bit that puts me off, but rather phrases like “mainstream major label success” and “certified double platinum – 2.6 million copies sold”. There are plenty of mainstream artists I enjoy listening to – U2.. Bob Dylan.. Bruce Springsteen.. Lifehouse, even. With those artists, though, I don’t feel the need to add my voice to the chorus, as it were. But after seeing Switchfoot’s breathtaking performance at the Paradise, I’m impressed with these guys on so many levels, I can’t help myself.
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