BOC Don’t Fear Tampa

Posted on March 31, 2010 by admin

It’s going to be impossible to get over the cowbell, because the cowbell really does define so much of the best of the 70s rock. It’s a cliche, for sure, but in all of the exact right ways. Generally, rockers didn’t like to be too conscious of the things that make them bang their heads, but the years have taught us all to take ourselves a little less seriously. At least, that’s how it happens with those who get to grow up and decide to look on things will a little more humor, and a little less urgency.

So there might be some who come to hear Blue Oyster Cult play at Coachman Park in Clearwater only for the rock star quotations, and there will be some who have known the band since 1969, and still others who love the song about the Reaper, but it’s all going to wash out, all things equal, because we all love the music, even if we love it in different ways. The urgency we knew when the songs first came out is very different from how we work in the world now, and it’s a wonderful thing to visit the past in this way.

Time was, only our very rich friends could ever go to see a band that was playing out of town, unless we decided to take a van somewhere, but now it’s possible to have more fun in life. Taking a plane to Tampa and checking into some gorgeous hotel isn’t out of reach any more, and it’s a nice way to get to know a new place.

And a great way to hear some music from the earlier days, too. BOC was a quintessential rock band, and their new tour is showing that they’ve still got it in them. These guys are veterans of psychic wars, and they’ve out come through like the rest of us, a little bit worn but also a little more graceful.

Seinfeld Plays Nashville

Posted on March 29, 2010 by admin

One of the most exciting things about seeing live stand-up, besides the obvious laugh factor, is that the person you’re seeing just might end up being very famous on tv, and then maybe film. It’s an interesting circuit, stand-up comedy, and a very difficult one to do. Most can’t keep it up for too long, because of the enormous strain it can take on the body and mind, having to be fresh and sharp at such a high level.

So it’s even more exciting when an anomaly, and Jerry Seinfeld is living a life that’s an anomaly, comes around to do things in a kind of reverse order. The star who made millions of people laugh on his hit tv show didn’t hang it up to move into film, the way most comedians do. And he certainly could, he has the recognition and the connections to do whatever he wants. But he’s retired from all that to go back and do some of the toughest work in show business.

It’s a treat then to see what comedians do when they’re still honing their craft. Seeing him in Nashville this spring will do wonders for the funny bone, and it’s worth it to make arrangements for local accommodations if you’re not in town, to see what funny things he’s considered over the past few years. He’s kind of known as the king of observational comedy , taking on the challenge of perfecting the art of commenting on what we do when we are living in the world.

Seinfeld’s talents lent themselves very well to that show, but they lend themselves to anything, because the kid’s got the golden touch. It’s a long way from Brooklyn to where he is now, but there’s something wonderfully touching about his performances that tell us he’s still there, too, mining a past that speaks to something in all of us.

Los Campesinos Farm The Twin Cities

Posted on March 27, 2010 by admin

The Cardiff music scene is in fine shape, and probably has never been finer, and what’s even better is that it looks like it’s on its way up. The city that has the world’s oldest record store inspires some of the coolest musicians in the world, and even inspires some, like Los Campesinos to add their own talents to the pool, even though none of the members are Welsh.

These details won’t be lost on the audience in Minneapolis when they play on May Day this year. That’s a perfect day to see a post-punk show, and Minneapolis is the perfect place to see it. Locals will have an easy way in, and the tickets are only 12 bucks. It’s a perfect show, and the perfect time of year here, to book a hotel and enjoy downtown Minneapolis. By then, the thaw should be worn off enough to give the city that incredible spring that everyone longs for all through the endless winter. And May Day here has a historical resonance that isn’t lost on the rather astute locals, who also know something about Wales.

They also know something about music, too, and this will be an incredible show, as the high energy of Los Campesinos meets up with its match from the locals. Hot on the trails of their new release, Romance is Boring, this is a group that’s hit its stride. It’s a remarkable stride, too, and it’s one that’s been getting them some very well-deserved attention.

These songs are catchy, and the vibrant energy is particularly contagious. It’s become something of a trademark that this next wave of punk would have an energy that rivals some of the most practiced funk shows, revealing some of the shared roots between the two. It also speaks very well to a music that’s formed out of a youth culture that might be cynical and nihilistic at times, but also upbeat, and interested in making a good time where none had existed before…

Ozomatli Moves New York

Posted on March 25, 2010 by admin

With a history that’s already spread out into 14 years of musical innovation, and socially conscious music that speaks to the heart of the here and now, Ozomatli has secured themselves as a band that inspires and lifts the crowds. It will be a great moment, then, to see them play in New York this May. The venue is the Highline Ballroom , on 16th Street between 9th and 10th, and the night will be one to remember. It’s always a great evening when they play out, but to hear them in Manhattan is an even more exceptional thing.

This L.A. band brings all the energy and drive of the west coast to the east coast, and New Yorkers have always been responsive crowds to their particular style and message. This is a culture clash where the cultures clashing get to realize that we’re all moving in similar directions, and listening to each other is a key to our own evolution. At this moment in history, it’s also a good thing to realize that the philosophies of the two coasts can work together to make some fantastic inroads into our own ways of perceiving things. This is as true now as ever, and perhaps it’s even urgent these days.

This show offers plenty of reasons for locals and out of town guests to come check out the event. Recently, Ozomatli became Cultural Ambassadors to the U.S. State Department, and have been touring the continents, bringing their message to the world at large. These have been free shows, and often with community outreach programs, and that’s a very important moment for us in the world. For an L.A. band, famous for their activist stance, and ability to combine many elements of Latin music together to make extraordinary mash-ups and remixes, to become representatives in the world, is a step forward, and we can all dance to that.

Andalusian in Miami

Posted on March 22, 2010 by admin

Watching the career of Alejandro Sanz is a lot like watching the success of the water of the ocean. It’s definite, sure, and constant. There are moments where it might recede, but those always precede a much bigger wave that’s on the way. He’s been at this for awhile, and that’s one good reason why coming to visit, staying in Miami hotel suites, at the end of the Summer is a good idea for any of his fans. Those who are just getting a taste of the romantic music with a brainy edge will enjoy hearing the songs for the first time, and for long time fans it might be heaven.

Latin culture in Miami is likewise as strong as any ocean, and deeply inspired by that same ocean, so this event could be like the meeting of waters. The result will be something closer to fire than water, however, and that’s probably a very good thing. Alejandro Sanz is used to the elements, having grown up with flamenco in the family, and in his blood for sure. His parents were both Andalusians, and he was born in Madrid, in 1966. Now past 40, he’s still young enough to captivate with boyish good looks that are turning rugged, and old enough to know his way around the rhythm of the water.

Sanz has been recording since the late 80s, and has a substantial body of work behind him already, and it looks like a lot more to come. He’s certainly driven, with a strong passion for work, which often has him starting new songs well past midnight. This has made him a celebrity in his native Spain, and brought him plenty of fans when he started to focus on Latin America a decade ago. It wasn’t until his appearance with Shakira on Tortura, however, that he reached a U.S. audience. It was an interesting moment, because that was the year that we woke up to the wave the rest of the world had already been washing in.

Honolulu Kokua Festival

Posted on March 17, 2010 by admin

Honolulu is an extraordinary place by any measure. It’s one of the most splendid places in the world to get in touch with the natural beauty of the earth and the sea. There are always new pockets of life in unexpected corners, making for an atmosphere that is always expanding and exploding, inspiring locals and tourists alike. For hundreds of generations this has been a very important spot in the health of the planet, and today it’s possibly even more elemental to the balance of all things. There are many attempts to preserve the wonders of nature here, and to limit the amount of damage that human presence can cause in Hawaii, and one of the most splendid of these for spectators has to be Kokua Festival .

This happens at the end of April, a gorgeous time to be in the Islands. Although, it doesn’t need to be said, any time Hawaii is gorgeous, really. That particular weekend, however, would be a great time to book a fabulous hotel , and make plans to enjoy. There are special deals for locals, and opportunities to help clean up Hawaii and to make it a better place, and for tourists, it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about all the green efforts here, as well as the chance to check out some tasty music.

The Kokua Foundation is a non-profit whose main function is to support and promote environmental education in Hawaii. There is perhaps no better place on earth where the beauty is more precarious than here. There might be no better way to honor this than to gather with locals and listen to two days of excellent live music. There is a great feeling of community at this event, where the genuine hospitality of Hawaii can be seen from an inside view. This year will see Kokua Foundation’s own Jack Johnson, along with Ziggy Marley, Anuhea, Jake Shimabukuro, and Taj Mahal, among others. It’s two days, and tickets are necessary for each day, but well worth it.

Goldfrapp in Santa Monica

Posted on March 15, 2010 by admin

Santa Monica is one of those iconic cities, the part of Los Angeles with clean neighborhoods, beach houses, and plenty of shopping for everything imaginable under the sun. There are plenty of adventures here, not only because it’s interesting to watch how the rich and famous conduct their daily lives, but also because the beaches bring a great mix of locals and tourists. Observing disparate lives coming to merge together in unexpected ways is a kind of grace note in the midst of so much material excess. But if the grace notes get in the way of the material excess, it’s possible to drown out those moments of depth and enjoy the moment.

There probably isn’t a better way to indulge in everything under the sun than to get ready for the Goldfrapp concert at the Hollywood Bowl this summer. Booking one of these hotels , and making plans to dance all of your worries away might be like fiddling while Rome burns, but it’s also a great way to get some exercise. In Santa Monica, the combination of material culture along with this band add up to a very ironic quotation, and it’s one that won’t be lost on half the people who show up for their shows.

Their new fans and old fans all seem to understand that this is very smart music. It does have a certain edge that sounds like vapid quotation of pop music in general, but close listening reveals that the quotation is so self-consciously vapid, that they are actually saying something. This is rather pointed cultural criticism, in fact, where they purport to be the guilty ones in the tropes that they’re evoking, when they are actually breaking them down, with an enormous musical style that is rather intoxicating. It’s the kind of music that makes moments in Santa Monica seem loaded with possibility, where you might wonder what would happen if everybody woke up at the same time.

Lovitz in Cleveland

Posted on March 12, 2010 by admin

Cleveland has often been the setting for jokes, especially in the days of vaudeville, and was rivaled only by Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. None of these cities has been able to live up to their bad reputations, because they are really pretty spectacular places to be, especially these days. There is a welcome feeling that is particularly characteristic of the Midwest, and a real feeling of community. At the same time, there is also a lot of diversity, and this lends a wonderful kind of cosmopolitan sensibility that is really pretty invigorating. This means that it’s a great place for travelers, and there are lots of attractions and extras, along with some pretty lovely hotels .

And while it was the butt of some jokes at the turn of the 20th century, today it takes its playful revenge on the world by hosting some of its own home-grown comedians. The success of Drew Carey, whose stand-up turned into his own television show, which in turn has inspired more stand-up, is a testament to this. There are also plenty of terribly funny comedians who come through town on their tours, because people like to laugh, for the benefit of locals as well as visitors. This is more than ample reason to make it to Jon Lovitz at Pickwick & Frolic in late April this year.

Lovitz has had a pretty distinguished career, considering his big claim to fame for a long time was his SNL character as the lying man, and Master Thespian. These were iconic moments in the history of TV comedy, but for many young talents, the brief popularity of their SNL characters is where the careers peaked. Lovitz went on to do lots of voiceover work, notably in the Simpsons, with cameos on popular TV shows like Friends, and a very substantial handful of films. He’s also the owner of two comedy clubs in his name, the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club , in San Deigo and Los Angeles. It will be a rare treat to see his own stylings performed live, just to see what he’s been thinking about. He has one of those faces that just welcomes a warm laugh.

Dr. Dog in Denver

Posted on March 10, 2010 by admin

Denver is a cool place to visit, and one of the first things people notice is that it’s been cool for a long time. There’s a kind of understated hipness that guides the city, and there’s evidence everywhere of all sorts of interesting experiments that have passed through over the years. With places like the Tattered Cover, there’s also evidence of brilliant experiments that worked and stayed. It has a pretty solid history as a place where people can raise kids and have pretty lovely lives, and it also has a history as a place where counter cultures come to find alternatives to the way things are.

This makes it a particularly good place to hear music, and with the gorgeous settings, some music sounds better than others. April will be a good month to book a hotel because of all the shows coming this spring, but toward the top of the list, surely, is Dr. Dog . There have been a number of bands who might be properly classified as psychedelic rock that have come through this city, with some particularly spectacular shows, so it will be nice to see how the local crowd responds to this next generation of music. Some of the locals are seasoned veterans, after all, and have seen a lot of imitators.

These guys from Philly, however, are the real thing. Whatever that might mean, and with Dr. Dog there is a logic at work that seems like it could make things mean whatever they want them to mean. Hearing them speak in interviews is a maze of rather articulate versions of theories about concepts, and it’s terribly interesting, and rather involved. So is the music. Fitting to the category, there are many loops and twists, and plenty of places to get lost, but all the while there is a thundering pulse that is always familiar and welcome, even and especially after riffs that go into new territories. Their strength might be in their harmonies, with a spirit that tips a hat to the Beach Boys, but there are plenty of other strengths to find here, too.

Frightened Rabbit Plays Baltimore

Posted on March 8, 2010 by admin

It hasn’t been all that long since Frightened Rabbit‘s played here, with a performance at Black Cat in 2008, but it seems like miles and miles of change between then and their show coming up in April. It’s the same venue, and the same band members plus one, but a whole new collection of songs that were just released, and a lot of touring and generally active creative lives between these gigs. The last time they played here, it was rather head-turning to see how many people turned out to show their appreciation for the group.

It’s not unusual for a band to have fans, but with Frightened Rabbit , they have fans that run along the lines of football clubs back in Glasgow where they hail from. This means that it’s a great time to book a great hotel and spend some time hanging out in Baltimore, for those who aren’t lucky enough to live here. It’s really a spectacular city to see anyway, so this might come along as the perfect excuse to spend some time enjoying the east coast for awhile. It’s also a good chance to catch up with some old friends, or maybe even make some new friends at the show.

You never know, and with bands that bring the crowds to the level that these guys do, there’s a strange camaraderie that can come over people. It’s pretty amazing music, and those who have only heard the excellent recordings are in for an enormous treat. The energy that you can only sense on the cds comes out full blast when you get them in a room full of appreciative fans. The kind of synergy that makes for the best chemical experiments is certainly at work here. There’s a lot of the sentiments that you get from anthem rock, but here it’s a rough Scottish turn of mood, and there’s an idea that they’re singing about a rawness that they still live.

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Monthly Archives: March 2010