Image of the Day-"Paper Way"

Boca Chica

Key Party Compilation CD Release Show

Friday August 8, 2008

Southside Brewhouse Gallery

This was an 'unofficial' after party to the N.A.M.U. Fest taking place a few blocks away. There were four local bands playing to support the release of the fantastic comp "Playing Favorties".

Boca Chica started the night with a set on the front stoop. I will be featuring them this week.

List-Shows!!! Favorite Albums of 2009

Meeting Of Important People-S/T
The band's picture isn't the first thing you see on this blog by accident. This became my favorite album of the year about two minutes into their CD release show in March and has stayed there ever since. Local, national, heck, even international, this was the best thing I heard all year.

Hallelujah The Hills-Colonial Drones
Such a strong sophomore effort from these guys. Can't wait to see how they grow over time.

Camera Obscura-My Maudlin Career
I was admittedly late coming to their party but this album hooked me fast.

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band-Outer South
I've grown to love Conor over the last few years but his band of semi-all-stars rise to the occasion on this album.

Bill Callahan-Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
This is the wild card of the bunch. I will never be able to explain how or why I dig this so much.

Kevin Devine-Brother's Blood
I stumbled on this by accident and discovered a great musician and album.

The Harlan Twins-S/T
This should be higher on the list. Probably because it was released later in the year than some others I haven't digested it enough. Killer disc.

Norfolk & Western-Dinero Severo
N&W start to actually rock out? Love it!

Jason Lytle-Yours Truly, The Commuter
Sounds a lot like Grandaddy to me, which is awesome!

Good Night, States-In The Impossible Tension
An EP on an album list? I listened to this so much it had to be included.

M. Ward-Hold Time
This one crept up on me. Maybe my favorite album of his.

Grant Lee Phillips-Little Moon
I will always love any GLP release. That's not to say this isn't a kick-ass album. It is.

The Clientele-Bonfires On The Heath
God Save The Clientele Pt. 2. Good stuff.

The Rural Alberta Advantage-Hometowns
Another surprise. Major expectations for the future.

Gospel Gossip-Dreamland
My favorite band from NAMU. I have been hoping they stop here again the minute they left the stage.

Wilco-The Album
The bastard child of 'Ghost' and 'Sky Blue'. Solid effort.

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart-S/T
I like this album. It's all 'samey' sounding after awhile but still is really good.

Telekinesis!-S/T
Pure pop. Great debut.

Fanfarlo-Reservoir
May have pulled the gun on this one as I am listening to it to familiarize myself with the upcoming show but it's real good stuff.

Monsters Of Folk-S/T
High expectations that fell short for sure but it's still a good record.

N.A.M.U. Fest College Bands Stage

New American Music Union

College Band Stages

Saturday August 9, 2008

Southside Works

I really wasn't all that interested in the main stage line-up to this remarkably well put on fest. Seriously, Bob Dylan? Everybody and their mother was going all crazy that he was playing and after seeing him over a dozen times in the past, I'll refrain from standing in the sun all day to catch him. I was more interested in the unknown bands that were showcased early in the day for a chance to win studio-time. I was not disappointed at all. They started at 11:00 a.m. on two alternating stages and had 25 minutes to show their stuff. It was remarkable how they stayed on schedule throughout the day. When I got there there was me, the judges, security, festival staff, and ONE other person. At the peak of the day (during Robert Morris' own Nothing Expected) there might have been a couple hundred people. What a shame, these bands deserved more attention IMO. I will be showcasing them throughout the week.

N.A.M.U. Preview

Image of the Day-"Patience"

Ball Of Flame Shoot Fire

Key Party Compilation CD Release Show

Friday August 8, 2008

Southside Brewhouse Gallery

Final band of the night to perform. They sounded good considering the few songs I heard. I reluctantly bailed early. I had to get up the next morning for the college bands competition @ N.A.M.U.

Image of the Day-"This Love Is Fucking Right!"

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

It's very interesting how I stumble onto bands. It could be the name alone of the band that piques my interest (Margot & The Nuclear So & So's), or possibly a short blurb in a review that gets me excited (The Harlan Twins!!), or in the case with this particular band, the drummer. I knew I recognized Kurt from somewhere but had to dig deep to realize I caught him in the summer fronting his own band at N.A.M.U. Not that I HAD to see them based on that (a solid review on Pitchfork helped) but it sorta pushed me over the precipice of doubt to go. Were they worth the hype? Hells, yeah! More tomorrow.

Image of the Day-"Sky Ghosts"

The Depreciation Guild
Tuesday February 10, 2009
Garfield Artworks
Larryville

Some fun facts about this band:

• When they played Pittsburgh last summer during the NAMU Fest, it was the first and only city they had ever played outside of their hometown of New York.
• They have a two for two record in Pittsburgh dealing with technical problems when trying to soundcheck.
• They are super nice dudes who have my artwork featured on their Myspace page!
• You can grab their album for free here.
• Kurt is NOT a junkie!