W♥M (Archive)

San Fermin with Low Roar at the Cedar, Minneapolis (14 April 2017)

Low Roar Setlist Nobody Else Give Me An Answer St. Eriksplan Bones I'll Keep Coming Don't Be So Serious Breathe In Tonight, Tonight, Tonight Tour Dates 4/20 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret 4/21 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile 4/22 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge 4/24 - San Francisco, CA - Independent 4/ 25 - San Francisco, CA - Independent 4/26 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy 4/27 - San Deigo, CA - The Casbah 4/28 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar 4/29 - El Paso. TX - Lowbrau Place 5/1 - Dallas, TX - Sons of Herman Hall 5/2 - Austin, TX - Antone's 5/3 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall 5/7 - Atlanta, GA - Park Tavern 5/9 - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theater 5/10 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club 5/11 - Pittsburgh, PA - Andy Warhol Museum 5/12 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live 5/13 - New York, NY - Brooklyn Steel 5/15 - Boston, MA 0 Brighton Music Hall 5/16 - Boston, MA 0 Brighton Music Hall Read More San Fermin Brooklyn’s San Fermin is back in town... I believe their latest album is called San Fermin, which came out last year on Downtown Records. ... Low Roar Once in a Long, Long While... Low Roar April 14, 2017 Label: NoPaper Records Copyright: 2017 NoPaper Records Total Length: 49:23 Genres: Alternative Rock ...

Brooklyn-based San Fermin stopped by the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis on Friday as part of their promotional tour for their third record Belong.

Starting the show, slightly later than advertised was Icelandic band Low Roar. The band is normally four people with Andrew Scheps on production, but for this U.S. tour, they’re a trio with Ryan, Logi, and Leifur.

Audrye Sessions at 80/35 Music Festival, Des Moines (04 July 2009)

Just to give a little background on Low Roar, the band is fronted by singer/songwriter Ryan Karazija, who was previously in a band called Audrye Sessions with Alicia Marie Campbell. We saw Audrye Sessions (along with 30 other bands in the same day) and described them as “really intense.” We also wrote about them in 2008, commenting on their cover of Elliott Smith’s ‘Waltz #2’: “Their version is pretty similar, I especially like singer Ryan Karazija vocals on this one.”

Anyway, when Karazija moved to Iceland and formed Low Roar, it would seem that his new band is a bit more atmospheric, often sounding like Grandaddy or latter-day Radiohead.

With three albums under their belt, Low Roar’s set concentrated on his new record Once in a Long, Long While (Nevado Music). Since the band chose to play in near darkness (with their laptop was covered in black tape to cover any light), it wasn’t a whole lot of fun to watch the band perform... but one can argue that without the visuals, the audience had to listen to the music without distractions. As a result, especially with the Cedar Cultural Center’s clientele, the 30-minute was basically a great listening party.

In stark contrast, San Fermin’s performance was bright and full of brilliant colors. They have stepped up their game, especially since we saw them in 2014 and 2016 and very little effort was put in stage production. With the Belong tour, San Fermin had custom background and custom color-changing lights... making their show, at least visually, very appealing.

Like San Fermin’s previous records, the majority of the band’s music comes from the mastermind of Ellis Ludwig-Leone (on keys), who compose some of the grandest pop music today. Vocally, the band still teeter back and forth between deep vocal styles of Allen Tate and pop/rock vocals of Charlene Kaye.

The remainder of the band (violinist Rebekah Durham, trumpeter John Brandon, saxophonist Stephen Chen, guitarist Tyler McDiarmid, and drummer Michael Hanf) all seem to be having lots of fun performing on stage.

The majority of San Fermin’s set is taken from Belong (‘Bride’, ‘Better Company’), with some exceptions like ‘Emily’ and ‘Methuselah’.

San Fermin’s latest Belong is out now on Downtown Records. Low Roar’s Once in a Long, Long While just came out on Nevado Music (14 April 2017).

Low Roar

Low Roar

San Fermin

San Fermin

San Fermin

San Fermin at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (14 April 2017)

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

80/35 Music Festival Review

Tilly and the Wall ♥ photo by Elizabeth Soda (7/3/09) Man Man ♥ photo by Vu (7/4/09) Matisyahu ♥ photo by Vu (7/3/09) Tilly and the Wall Setlist ♥ photo by Vu (7/3/09) Poison Control Center ♥ photo by Vu (7/4/09) Miss Derringer ♥ photo by Vu (7/4/09) Paper Route ♥ photo by Vu (7/4/09) Wild Sweet Orange ♥ photo by Vu (7/4/09) Audrye Sessions ♥ photo by Vu (7/4/09) Girl in a Coma ♥ photo by Vu (7/4/09)

We arrived in Iowa on Friday, July 3^rd, morning, very excited to attend the second annual 80/35 Music Festival in downtown Des Moines. Already there was a few things I've noticed right away that the festival got right: awesome free parking, loads of portapotties, very organized setup, a lot of securities & volunteers. What I thought was disappointing was that the paid stage ($80 for both days) was somewhat expensive - considering that the two other stages (Mediacom and Meredith) lineup was just as good, if not better, for $0.

July 4^th weekends might not be a great weekend to have a music festival. At least here in Minnesota, everyone goes up to their cabins traditionally for a family get together. Most of the people that I've noticed walking around the festival were young people who overshadowed families and hippies (can someone explain to me the hula-hoops or the "balls in a sock" thing?).

Also, the one factor that put a damper on things was the weather. I realized this is beyond anyone's control, but you would reckon they saw the forecast predictions and would've been better prepared with perhaps a giant umbrella for the audience. Still, despite major contributor and sponsor, US Cellar, attempt to distribute rain ponchos, they quickly ran out in a matter of hours.

For the first day, I only covered the main stage, which included all the artists that I wanted to check out. Although I contemplated on heading over to Modern Skirts and Maps and Atlases.

 

Tilly & The Wall - Pot Kettle Black

Tilly and the Wall started off the festivities promptly at 4pm. The tap-dancing didn't start until the fourth or fifth song, and we were told that Jamie Pressnall is with child (if you couldn't have figured it out based on her newborn baby on her colorful dress).

Matisyahu - Youth

Matisyahu started off stiff (sunglasses, jacket, baseball cap) and thenreally started to get into it towards the third song. I suspect this is all part of his act, but that also means that they've kicked out most of the photographers in the press-pit (incidentally, there were a ton of media coverage for the festival). I have never seen an audience going bananas when M took off his jacket - just to give you an idea that the "act" works.

Towards the end, Matisyahu decided to do a stage dive - but the barrier was far, so the security team was right on top of it, moving the monitors and making sure Matisyahu can jump.

When Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks came on stage, I thought to myself that he "cut his hair". I also thought his drummer looks incredibly like the drummer from Sleater-Kinney - and did get confirmation:

Mendeley @weheartmusic yes she is! http://bit.ly/10Pss3
4:40 PM Jul 3rd from web in reply to weheartmusic
tigerpop @weheartmusic yes! janet weiss rules!
3:21 PM Jul 3rd from mobile web

Public Enemy's incredible 20 hour soundcheck was filled with "ai'ight" and "cd and dvd for $10". The soundcheck was so long, the press photographers, possibly bored out of their mind started taking pictures of the setup - in which the MC told them to "chill out, ai'ight, save it for the show, ai'ight?" This was followed by another warning and complaints that the DJ's third amp or something wasn't working. But the fans brave it out in the rain, I suppose sound perfection commands a high price, ai'ight?

I was only there to see Flavor Flav, who never made it to the show. For a guy with a clock around his neck, you'd figure he would remember the show started at 9:30pm. Incidentally, 80/35 official twitter notes: "It's unforunate about flavor flav but the show will go on and public enemy will bring it. #8035" at 5:04 PM.

July 4^th proved a little more difficult for me, as that day required me to walk back and forth to all three stage. While the stage are not all that far apart, my "slipper shoes" did not offer much support. Here are the bands I did manage to catch:

Iowa's Poison Control Center "got the party started" as their audience sung along, "love, love is the answer, until you get cancer". They are energetic and seems to enjoy playing their duct-taped guitar upsidedown.

Miss Derringer - Click Click (Bang Bang)

Saw Miss Derringer again, the setlist and performance routine was pretty much the same from a few nights ago. Although, I think the set for the two free stages were much shorter than the main stage.

They seem more talkative at the festival, always projecting this infectious happy to be on tour (and their performance won over a few new fans who eagerly bought the new album to have autographed). Singer Elizabeth McGrath mentioned on stage much she liked these festival food. Which I can attest is true as she offered some of her deep-fried food at their touring BFF's Girl in a Coma on the next stage.

GIAC's set was essentially the same as a few nights ago, only a bit shorter. I got a chance to say hi to them and mentioned that my good friend Melinda once got lost on the train with them on the other side of France.

Audrye Sessions-New Year's Day

Wild Sweet Orange - Ten Dead Dogs

I caught briefly Man Man, who I can only describe as tribal animals with pots & pans. Audrye Sessions seems really intense, Paper Route was impressed by the people on the rooftop watching them, Envy Corps had mad-audience attendance (they should've been on the main stage, not the free stage) who invade the stage, Wild Sweet Orange's hilarious "do you guys remember what we're called? Yes, that's right we're called Wild Sweet Horses!"

Broken Social Scene-7-4 (Shoreline)

G. Love and Special Sauce's show packed and ended their set with the popular "Cold Beverages" song. By this time, I was ready for bed... but I soldiered on for Broken Social Scene - who as Lara have mentioned to me before when she saw them last year that these guys "are old". She's right. What she didn't mention was that it's ridiculous that the band have FIVE guitarists. Really? Five?  Amy Millan from our favorite band, Stars, showed up on the second song and stayed throughout their (very) long set.

Ben Harper and Relentless7's fans are insane. I mean that in a good way. They were so passionate (and drunk) and wanted every opportunity to invade the stage. I saw so many fans turned away from trying to get a closer view in the photography press area. I have never seen that much excitement for any artist at the festival!

We left before the fireworks, so we can get home at a decent hour. Overall, I wasn't looking forward to another night of pitching the tent in the dark and/or with the rain coming down on us... Although it was a lot of fun, it was too much work for me (I'm not a big fan of driving and getting lost). I think next year, I will have someone else cover the show and maybe do the Taste of Minnesota thing next year.

Update: more photos at britrockatthetop.com

 07/05/2009 18:07:28 ♥ vu () ♥ 80-35.com ♥ myspace.com/8035 ♥ twitter.com/8035 

80/35 Music Festival

Tilly and the Wall - Dust Me Off Tilly and the Wall

As I previously mentioned, I am heading out to 80/30 Music Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, tonight. I may not be able to update until Sunday. Was just corrected that they will have Wi-Fi and Media Centers.

I think this is a stupid name for a festival, apparently it was named after the two interstate freeways: I-80 and I-35. Yes, I hate festivals. I will recount the story about Coachella sometime later, OK? I can laugh about it now, but at the time it was terrible.

There's a few bands I'm definitely going to see (Tilly & The Wall, Ben Harper, and Public Enemy).  I didn't know Public Enemy are back together!

I will be doing that twttr thng. If you are in the area and want to say hi, text me: 763 656 9257.

Below are some bands playing:

Friday, July 3 Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Main Stage 4:00 PM – Tilly and The Wall 5:45 PM – Matisyahu 7:30 PM – Stephen Malkmus 9:30 PM – Public Enemy Mediacom East Stage (free) 4:00 PM – Buster and the Punks 4:45 PM – William Fitzsimmons 5:45 PM – Modern Skirts 6:45 PM – Maps and Atlases 7:45 PM – The Nadas 8:45 PM – House of Large Sizes Meredith West Stage (free) 4:00 PM – MooseKnuckle 5:15 PM – The Dig Angees 6:15 PM – The Autumn Project 7:15 PM – Occidental Brothers 8:30 PM – Public Property 9:30 PM – DJ Diverse 10:45 PM – Brad Goldman & Jade Reed

Saturday, July 4 Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Main Stage 12:00 PM – Poison Control Center 1:30 PM – New Monsoon 3:15 PM – Man Man 5:00 PM – G. Love & Special Sauce 7:00 PM – Broken Social Scene 9:00 PM – Ben Harper   Mediacom East Stage (free) 12:00 PM – Hanwell 12:45 PM – Beati Paoli 1:45 PM – Miss Derringer 2:45 PM – Audrye Sessions 3:45 PM – The Josh Davis Band 4:45 PM – Wild Sweet Orange 5:45 PM – Cleo’s Apartment 6:45 PM – Mr. Baber’s Neighbors 8:00 PM – Brother Ali Meredith West Stage (free) 12:00 PM – Anni Rossi 1:00 PM – Baby Teeth 2:00 PM – Paper Route 3:00 PM – Girl In A Coma 4:00 PM – Floodplane 5:15 PM – Cymbals Eat Guitars 6:15 PM – Margot & Nuclear So & Sos 7:15 PM – Maximilian Eubank 8:15 PM – The Envy Corps 9:00 PM – All Bugs 10:00 PM – Al Brown 11:00 PM – Flatform

 07/02/2009 19:02:28 ♥ vu () ♥weheartmusic.com♥twitter.com/weheartmusic♥news.weheartmusic.com

Audrye Sessions

Audrye Sessions-New Year's Day Audrye Sessions Tour Dates 11/15/08 Mojoe’s Rock House ( w/ Person L) Tinley Park, Illinois 11/16/08 HI-FI Club (w/ Person L) Lakewood, Ohio 11/18/08 Xtreme Wheels Buffalo, NY 11/19/08 Jaggard Ume Altoona, PA 11/20/08 Webster Underground Hartford, CT 11/21/08 Valentine’s Albany, NY 11/22/08 Crocodile Rock Cafe Allentown, Pennsylvania 11/23/08 Loft Poughkeepsie, NY 11/25/08 Maxwell’s Hoboken, NJ 11/26/08 Khyber Philadelphia, PA 11/30/08 Garfield Artworks Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 12/01/08 Agora Ballroom Cleveland, OH 12/02/08 Empty Bottle Chicago, IL 12/03/08 Slowdown Omaha, NE 12/04/08 Marquis Theatere Denver, CO

Audrye Sessions - Waltz #2 (Elliott Smith Cover)

Audrye Sessions was recently in the news for me when they covered Elliott Smith's "Waltz #2" for The Trip Wire (you can download the free live track there). Their version is pretty similar, I especially like singer Ryan Karazija vocals on this one.

They were also recently appeared on Matt Pinfield's show on 101.9 RXP. You may remember Pinfield from MTV's 120 Minutes. And as of yesterday, the band was on Daytrotter, so basically they are doing all the rounds and people can't seem to get enough of them.

This band is based out of Oakland, California, and only have one four-tracks EP. I did like their song "Awake" and the slower song "New Year's Day", which closes out the EP. The main song, "Turn Me Off" is pretty rocking, kind of reminds me of 90s alternative music. If you like sensitive/sissy music, you'll definitely need to give Audrye Sessions a try.

Currently looks like the EP is only available digitally (ala iTunes and amazon). That should hold you over until their full-length to drop on February 17^th in 2009.

Links: myspace.com/audryesessions imeem.com/audryesessions