Monthly Archives: March 2012

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN PART 2: ALBYDAMNED & DEMIX

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After Andrew Bird, I switched gears and headed to Y-Not III to join friends and check out some of Milwaukee’s electronic scene.  The crowd was just starting to get denser in the upstairs bar and Albydamned started off his set with a nuclear blast of energy.  It had been awhile since I’d seen Alby dj and I was really impressed with the evolution of his sound.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an avid follower of Drum&Bass around the city, but when it comes to a Milwaukeean throwing down dope dubstep beats and an fuckin’ awesome dance party, Albydamned has to be at the top of the list.  People were swinging from the rafters, seriously. Ok it was one guy, and although that’s far from the erotic image you probably conjured up in your gutter of a brain it was still pretty awesomely funny.  Everyone in that room was getting down, sweating a lot, and taking off clothes.  I cannot WAIT to see him on a hot summer night with 3x as many people in an outside venue.  Late night festi set anyone?  Yes, please.

I was too late to catch any of Brennan’s set, but I did get to see Demix for the first time and although studio was a little foggy I do remember having a fuck ton of fun.  Thanks for a great time, guys.  It was without a doubt one of my favorite nights in Milwaukee.

Twitt

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN PART 1: ANDREW BIRD

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Andrew Bird at the Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, March 24

The Riverside Theater was almost full on Saturday night and I arrived just as the house lights dimmed and the stage was illuminated with Andrew Bird.  He is touring in support of his newest record, Break it Yourself, and the set was heavy with songs off the album but had plenty of old favorites that paired well together.  If you’ve never listened to his albums before, this certainly wouldn’t be a bad place to start.  The record has plenty of his witty and sometimes dark lyrics and catchy hooks.

The set opened with Carrion Suite, a gorgeous instrumental song featuring only Andrew, captivating the audience with its sorrowful swoon and the swelling violin that Bird is known and loved for.  The reverent crowd soaked in his whistles, often accompanied by xylophone, and violin which he also picked like a mandolin.  After opening solo, his band featuring Jeremy Ylvisaker on guitar; Alan Hampton on stand-up bass; and Martin Dosh on percussion joined him on stage. The tunes transitioned from timeless solo violin pieces to rocking heartfelt songs which got the crowd dancing in their seats. These featured Andrew on electric guitar which he would swing around his back and switch to violin.  The audience left their courteous silence behind and started hooting and hollering as the tempo of the show (and beer flow) increased.

The set ended with the usual Tables and Chairs/ Fake Palindromes, much to my delight, and after he waved his goodbye I was filled with complete joy at witnessing this incredible work of art.  The crowd erupted in applause and Andrew, Alan, and Jeremy returned for an acoustic encore with the trio sounding like an old timey folk band.  The show ended as it started, with Andrew alone on stage, pairing his beautiful voice and uncanny whistle with his violin that was like an additional limb.  Mr. Bird and his band put on an energetic and captivating performance that was deeply beautiful and that displayed the versatility of his music.  It left me feeling open and nostalgic and somehow cleansed, as if his art had allowed me to transcend this world for awhile to a place that is radiant and timeless.

Twitt

JUNIPER TAR RESIDENCY AT THE HOTEL FOSTER

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Juniper Tar Residency Series at Hotel Foster

Ever since the opening of Hotel Foster about one year ago now, it has been a go-to spot on the east side for music, atmosphere, and a variety of drinks. Before The Hotel Foster opened it’s doors, it was Live, and before that the Globe. If you ask me Live sucked, there was never any good music or community vibe alive. However, the Globe was well known for having a stage and incorporated the Milwaukee music scene the best it could. With no further ado, Local Playlist is stoked to be a part of Juniper Tar Residency Series that kick starts on March 28th. Recently, I visited Hotel Foster and chatted with John Revord, proprietor of The Hotel Foster, about the series. I wanted to get a first person response to how and where the idea was inspired from. To summarize our conversation, the idea for starting a residency at Hotel Foster stemmed from some more popular trends on the west and east coast. After noticing how popular it is to have local bands hold a residency with bars in order to bring more collaboration to the scene. I really like the concept of a residency with local music because it’s much more common to have artists take residency in gallery’s so there are multiple dates someone can go to the gallery and check out the art, instead of art the medium is music.

Juniper Tar is a local rock n roll band from Milwaukee. Made up of five guys, Jason Mohr on vocals and guitar, Aaron Schleicher on guitar, vocals, and keys, Tuc Krueger on drums, Ryan Schleicher on bass and vocals, and finally Chris DeMay on vocals, piano, and guitar. After being together for about seven years, they have released an EP titled The Howl Street and a full length album titled To The Trees. Both albums are available for free download online. These four consecutive shows are all leading up to a large finale event at Turner Hall. Here is the line up for the residency:

March 28: John Sieger (Semi-Twang), Sat. Nite Duets

April 4: Paul Cebar, Hugh Masterson (Hugh Bob & the Hustle), Joe Crocket (The Championship)

April 11: Black Eagle Child, more to be announced

April 18: BJ Seidel (Decibully), Shane Hochstetler (Call Me Lightning), Trapper Schoepp

Make sure to check out Juniper Tar Residency at Hotel Foster at least once in the next four weeks, and help pay tribute to local music industry. The only catch is a very affordable 3 dollar cover and everyone must be 21 or older! More event details are available on the facebook event page

P.S: Here is a little spoiler, the Hotel Foster gang will be opening up another trendy bar located in Bay View called Boone & Crockett! Look forward to the opening in May!

Twitt

SOUND SWAP CHICAGO<>MILWAUKEE REVIEW 3/22/2012

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Thursday night debuted the first part of the Sound Swap series put on by Local Playlist and Chrome Attic of Chicago. The two groups exchange bands from either city to bring new names to each metropolis and it’s audience. Hosted at Yield Bar on Milwaukee’s beautiful East Side, Sound Swap kicked off the weekend early, with a lineup that included three bands. Two groups, Derek Nelson & The Musicians and Chaperone, traveled from Chicago, to open for a Milwaukee headliner. This edition featured The Celebrated Workingman, a finalist in 88 Nine Radio Milwaukee’s Music Awards earlier this month.

Derek Nelson and his five musicians took the stage first and, together, they took the crowd by storm with the first powerful drum beats and crystal clear female accompaniment. Derek’s vocals complemented exceptional lyrics and harmony as they unveiled many of their new releases. Every band member had their own niche and provided the audience with a wonderful live music experience. You can listen to their album on their website, but hearing this band live is quite a treat. With an Americana sound that came complete with the addition of a slide guitar, ukulele and mandolin. At the show, Nelson commented, “You have to be careful about being so nice to us, we might be tempted to move here, and then you’d be stuck with us.” If Derek Nelson & The Musicians did decide to move to Milwaukee, Local Playlist would welcome them with open arms, knowing that they would add a lot to the local music scene.

After a brief switch over, the Sound Swap continued and Chaperone took the stage next. Fast-paced, electric sounds rocked the audience as they moved quickly from one song to the next. This band was animated from the start, which is usually an indication of good times to be had. Most of the movement was coming from the bassist as he wiggled to the beat all over stage but the entire band’s aggressive movements complimented the sound they created. Lead singer Shaun Michael Paul was drenched at the conclusion on this cool Milwaukee night, proof that the band put their all into the short but sweet set. Maybe some of the Badger and Golden Eagle fans that came to Yield on Thursday might have been a little disappointed by the outcome of the game they came to watch but after the show they left with a new band or two to listen to. Chaperone impressed us here in Milwaukee and gained new fans that will continue to move and thrash to their waves of sound.

The headliner, Milwaukee’s own The Celebrated Workingman, capped off the evening’s event and they were worth the wait. Yield Bar’s stage, back dropped by posters and pictures of many iconic rockers early in their careers, left me wondering where these artists might be in ten years. Frontman Mark Waldoch has an undeniable and unique commanding stage presence that engages the crowd. His range of vocals, whether melodically belted out, or in a beautiful clear and rhythmic whisper, never disappoints. Ryan Gardiner, a phenomenal musician, normally plays lead guitar for his other projects Ikarus Down and The Last Rhino, but he stepped out of the comfort zone and learned bass this past summer in order to play with this great group. Ryan’s presence on stage may bring Celebrated Workingman to a different level but each musician adds a swath to the band’s tapestry. One of the bands to watch this year, I have no doubt they’ll do great things. All in all, the Milwaukee edition of the Sound Swap began with amazing performances, and The Celebrated Workingman were the exclamation mark to complete the sentence.

Saturday, March 24 concludes this first exchange at The Crown Tap Room in The Windy City. The collaboration between the two cities will hopefully bring some much needed spotlight to Milwaukee. Said Mark Glatzel, of Milwaukee’s award winning I’m Not A Pilot (a spectator for a change), “There’s a lot going on in Milwaukee’s music scene right now.” Clearly, Local Playlist is once again in the middle of it all, excited for what’s next. Keep your eyes open for the next edition of Sound Swap!

Written by Richard Young

Edited by Anne Conway and Danielle Hanson

Twitt

FRESH CUT COLLECTIVE, “RE-FRAME (PART 1)” ALBUM REVIEW

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There are times when music seems to reach right out and grab you by the ears, demanding your attention. As soon as I hit play on Fresh Cut Collective’s new album, “Re-Frame

(Part 1)”, that’s exactly what happened. This highly anticipated album is set for release this Friday, March 30th at the Miramar Theater, and though I’m familiar with many of the tracks from their shows, having the chance to listen to the album straight through is quite

a privilege. Pay attention, fellow music fans, because Fresh Cut Collective is about to blow your minds.

Perhaps the thing I was most excited to hear with this album was the way it was recorded. Our current digital recording world allows music to be fine-tuned to the point of

perfection. While this seems like a good idea in general, sometimes we listeners lose a bit of the connection that musicians share when playing live. FCC is such a charismatic band and the energy they create during live performances encapsulates the audience; resulting in a fun, high energy dance party atmosphere. With such talent, a digitally recorded album certainly wouldn’t be a disappointment, but the band recognized the opportunity to give more to their fans with a different recording technique. This album is a live, in studio analog recording and it’s the perfect way to showcase the FCC sound.

The fun begins with “DaDa DaDa”, which is the perfect way to get things going. The beats lure you out of your seat and Kiran’s vocals are both fluid and articulate. This is Fresh Cut Collective’s way of telling you to get ready for an awesome auditory experience.

And you better be ready to dance when “Bangy Bangy” comes in next. If you haven’t yet learned this dance, you better start practicing. Perhaps what I love most about this track (aside from the fun, upbeat tempo) is that it transports me to FCC shows where I can enjoy watching the band have as much fun on stage as we’re having in the audience.

“Creeping in the Jungle” has a smooth, melodic vibe, and while it’s slightly slower tempo than the songs that precede it, it certainly maintains the funky groove of the album.

This song provides a great transition into “Ding Dong Bong”, which has one of my favorite displays of Patricio’s talent on keys. If I had to describe this song in one word, no doubt that word would have to be sexy.

If you haven’t yet heard “Let Go” (featuring A Biz and Dana Coppa), then you’ve certainly been missing out. This song has a great video that the band shot last summer; along with

some “lost footage” that is well worth watching. I really feel that this song is a great

representation of who Fresh Cut Collective is: a group of great musicians combining their unique individual talents in a celebration of the mutual love of their craft. The result is this fabulous album that we fans get to enjoy.

“Everybody to my left, say HEY!” Just try to listen to “Errybody Get Loud” and not start moving. Again, this song is reminiscent of all the fun they always provide for us. I know I’ll be the person you pass on the road enjoying my own, mobile dance session. The album rounds out with “Go Flash”, another smooth groove, and concludes with “The Source”, an instrumental gem. FCC certainly don’t need to prove their talents (and I don’t know how a listener couldn’t be impressed by this point), and this is the perfect way to conclude such a great album.

Having the opportunity to enjoy this sneak peek before the release is one of the many reasons why I’m so grateful to be a part of Local Playlist. It’s bands like Fresh Cut Collective that allow Local Playlist to be what it is in the first place, and I’m lucky to be able to share in all the excitement. Go to the release party, get your copy of “Re-Frame (Part 1)”, and get your groove on, friends.

Twitt

ARCHIE POWELL & THE EXPORTS, TRAPPER SCHOEPP & THE SHADES, AND THE RAGADORS 3.23.12

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Yet another great night of rock and roll at Linneman’s on Friday when some of the Midwest’s finest musicians showed us what they can do. The intensity that started with the first song lasted straight through the night, and I know I wasn’t the only one who’s musical needs were satisfied.

Chicago’s Archie Powell & the Exports started the night off with a bang and they maintained their high energy throughout their entire set. It didn’t take long for the room to fill, and with the caliber of music that AP&E bring to the table, the fact that this was just the first band showed us what kind of night we were about to enjoy. Chicago isn’t far, and it would be well worth the drive to see Archie Powell & the Exports if you can’t wait for them to come back to Milwaukee.

Next up was Trapper Schoepp & the Shades who were recent winners at the 88.9 music awards. This was the first time I got to see them live, so I was really looking forward to it. Sometimes with a larger outfit (they’re a five-piece with three guitarists), harmonies run the risk of sounding muddled. This is certainly not the case with Trapper Schoepp & the Shades. Each member knows exactly where they fit; knowing just when to pull back or add a little something extra. Their sound is laid back without feeling sleepy and there’s just a “feel good” vibe surrounding the whole band and their music. Archie Powell & the Exports were the sprinters at the beginning of the race, passing it off to Trapper Schoepp & the Shades who found a good stride and maintained a good musical momentum.

The Ragadors were the perfect way to end the night. Their set was a mixture of songs from their album “Black Inky Swells”, some covers and a few new songs that I hope will soon be part of a new album. While maintaining the essence of the Ragadors’ sound, the new songs aren’t quite as bluesy; they include more harmonies and a slightly more up tempo vibe. This little taste of what’s to come makes me very curious as to the direction they will take with the next album. Probably my favorite part of their set was their cover of “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath. You could almost feel the collective excitement in the crowd after the first few licks. When Ben puts down his guitar his voice shines even more, and this song couldn’t have complimented his vocals better. And there is never a dull moment when Kevin has his guitar in hand, and this show was no exception. Just when you think he couldn’t possibly impress you any more, he goes ahead and does it anyway. A great venue, a night of great music, what more can I say? If I had to describe in one word what my favorite thing about Milwaukee is, the answer would be easy: music.

Twitt

GIGABYTES & NANOSECONDS: SOUP AT THE GIG

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With Soup’s growing popularity, many were inquiring about the size of the venue chosen for their FREE performance on Friday, March 9th, 2012 at The Gig on Center Street in Riverwest. The show kicked off around 10pm that evening, and the petite location came off as spacious early in the eve. It was in question if fans would be discouraged from attending the show due to the immense fan collection Soup has accumulated, and the small venue size, in fear of the place filling up quickly. With this in mind, if a number of the confirmed guests decided against this show option for that reason, the place could have been pretty open. However, there seemed to be just the right number of attendees for the magnitude of The Gig.

The first set crept into a deliberate choice of songs that portrayed a soothingly slower vibe. Inside, the bar area, stage, and dance floor are all congregated in the same wing of the complex, which never really seemed to pose a problem for people dancing, getting drinks, or simply passing by. Wrapping around the bar, past the stage, to the left there lays a pool hall and lounge den comprised of couches and seating area, pinball and arcade games, and pool tables.

The band took their first set-break around 11pm, and shortly after the downtime they came back on for only a song or two before saying “we’ve got one more for ya’.” The rumor for awhile was that the residents that live upstairs from The Gig were complaining about the noise from either the concert or people outside the bar being loud. That chitchat was quickly squashed when the boys came back on for another round. It still leaves the question of why the band encored after the first set, or what the lurking gossip was really about…No one seemed to mind.

The second set caked on a distinctive rising tone of energy, and in their comfort zone, Soup “Packed a Wallop” for the remainder of the evening. The beautifully harmonized voice of Joni D pierced the hearts of countless groovin’ supporters.

The lounge room and pool hall seemed to disperse the crowd throughout the night keeping everyone occupied and scattered throughout the various bar areas. Along with the excellent drink prices offered by The Gig, the respectable crowd, and the number of different activities occurring during the show the night was deemed a successful turnout.

Twitt

500 MILES TO MEMPHIS W/DIXON & THE CACTUS BROTHERS AT THE MIRAMAR 3.19.2012

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Cincinnati’s 500 Miles to Memphis made a one-off stop  in Milwaukee at the Miramar Friday to very little fan support. Coming off an extensive fall 2011 Midwest tour, the band has paid considerable dues in harnessing an area fan base, but this night proved otherwise, which may have been due to the venue along with some lackluster promotion.  In this writer’s eyes, lap steel player David Rhodes Brown salvaged the show. His playing somehow bridged the gap between cowpunk and power chord alternative rock, and added needed musicality to the overall sound. Without David, this band simply loses any hint at a country sub genre. Milwaukee native and 500 Miles’ bassist Noah Sugarman kicked off their set on acoustic guitar with some originals of his own to the delight of small audience. Check out their website at www.500mtm.com.

Milwaukee openers the Cactus Brothers made a stronger run at alt country than the headliners. Even without a soloist, brothers Brian & Mike Kasprzak cruised through their Hank Williams 3 influenced originals, all while looking the part, and then payed homage to Hank himself with a great version of “Straight to Hell.” Seems 500 Miles’ David Rhodes would fit in well with these guys. Check them out on Facebook or see them Thursdays @ Tonic Tavern in BayView.

Twitt