Image of the Day-"Joke or a Lie"

 Sharon Van Etten

Flock Of Dimes

Carnegie Lecture Hall

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Oakland

Simply put, I loved this show. From the opening set by Flock of Dimes to Sharon and her band's last song, I was amazed how music can enthrall an audience, including me. Read some more love here. My boy posted video (which doesn't do the performance justice) of practically the whole show here. Bummed that you missed it? Relax, she is returning to Pittsburgh on June 22nd at Schenley Plaza as part of WYEP's Summer Music Festival! Check out more photos here.

Image of the Day-"Too Dramatic"

Ra Ra Riot

Carnegie Lecture Hall

Saturday, December 17, 2012

Oakland

I love being at a show and recognizing a song that the band is playing from someplace deep in my memory. I cannot tell you where I heard the tune before but it becomes instantly familiar. That was the case as Ra Ra Riot performed their third song of the night. I never saw them play and I don't know their music all that well, but I have heard and liked 'Too Dramatic' and it becomes a sweet little moment for me. You can check out more of my photos from the show here.

Image of the Day-"Wave Pool"

1,2,3

Carnegie Lecture Hall

Saturday, December 17, 2012

Oakland

Only the second time I have seen the band but have been digging their debut release for awhile so it's always nice to hear live arrangements of familiar tunes. Strange venue for the band though. The austerity of  lecture hall has the audience 'sitting on their hands' for every show I have seen there. The band seemed a bit taken aback from the drop dead silence in between songs. Regardless, they soldiered through with a terrific set.  I am sure the vibe was quite different at the sold out Brillobox gig this past weekend.

Image of the Day-"Booth of Glass"

Patty Larkin
Carnegie Lecture Hall
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Oakland

Presented by Calliope, what amazed me is that Patty is celebrating her 25th year as a performer. I hadn't realized she had been around that long. Along with opener Merrie Armstrong, the crowd ate up her solid acoustic folk.

Image of the Day-"Innocence Abroad"

Meeting Of Important People
Carnegie Lecture Hall
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Oakland

Incredibly sweet 'wooden' music from the guys. Little old me got a shout out from the stage...thanks fellas. Some audience members scored some video action here.

Image of the Day-"Temperature Rising"

Dean & Britta play Galaxie 500
Carnegie Lecture Hall
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Oakland

As promised, this show was great. I always enjoy seeing Dean & Britta. What made it extra awesome was the venue. Not a bad seat in the house and the acoustics were fantastic. Hopefully the Warhol books more shows there. More pics here.

First/Last-Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips

Dean & Britta
Carnegie Lecture Hall
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Oakland

The band is playing a special show tonight in Oakland. The set consists entirely of songs from Dean's former group, Galaxie 500. So that means probably no Tiger Lily...sniff. Opening the night are local favs Meeting Of Important People doing a rare all acoustic set. Seriously, this is the year's first not miss show. Dean & Britta released one of my favorite albums of last year and were kind enough to participate in this special 'preview' edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?

Britta: “Frampton Comes Alive”.

Your last album bought?

Dean: Handel's "Bejun Mehta".

Britta: “The Essential Nina Simone".

Favorite album of all time?

Britta: Too difficult to choose, but off the top of my head, "Love and Other Crimes" by Lee Hazlewood, "Loaded" by The Velvet Underground".

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Britta: I can't answer either of those questions. There are so many disappointing and "worst" albums, I think I just automatically block them out.

First concert attended?

Dean: Leo Sayer in Central Park.

Britta: Blondie opening for Rush.

Last concert?

Dean: The Zombies.

Britta: Dirty Projectors.

Favorite concert ever?

Dean: Pere Ubu.

Britta: The Feelies.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

We love Pittsburgh!

Thanks to both of you. Take my word for it, Pittsburgh loves you guys back. I am really looking forward to this show tonight.