Thursday, July 8, 2010

Image Of The Day-"True Colors"

WYEP 13th Annual Summer Music Festival
Friday June 25, 2010
Oakland

So either file this under the category 'it was inevitable' or the one I prefer, 'what took so long?'. The good folks at WYEP contacted me to help cover their annual music bash in Oakland. What's funny is that I am usually photographing 90% of their events and was going anyway, so it was a no brainer. The weather was perfect and the line-up, although a little obscure, ended up surprising me. It seemed that almost everyone was there to see Sarah, which made sense since she arrived in the biggest bus. Nicole played as a stripped down trio, which she sounded great but didn't bring enough of the rock to justify closing the night. The Boogie Hustlers were good but in the unenviable position of starting the night. Then there was Joshua James. I never heard of the guy and was on the 27th floor of the Catherdral when he started, but man was he good. Not only was he the best performer, he was the nicest to his fans. I say it over and over again, musicians should fall over going out of their way for fans. Loyalty goes on forever in the music biz. More of my photos here on WYEP's Flickr page.


I also want to give a shout out to fellow photog John Altdorfer. He was also asked by YEP to supply photos of the event. He has been really helpful and informative to me over the last year or so and to me, supporting each other is what it's all about.

The above image was obviously not taken by me since I am in it. I added it to comment on how many times I spot myself in other people's pictures at events. When I shoot, I try to be as discreet as possible but sometimes (especially at outdoor events) it's impossible.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Image Of The Day-"Road To Home"

  
Hartwood Hometown Music Fest
Hartwood Acres
Sunday June 20, 2010
Hampton Township

Today ends my coverage of this years fest. Unfortunately, I was unable to see JD Eicher & The Goodnights and Glenn Pavone & The Cyclones play. I am surprised my kids lasted as long as they did. I am also bummed that I only caught the last few minutes of The Inclines' set. They sounded sweet from what I heard. Hope to see them soon enough.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Image Of The Day-"Light Me Up"

Gene The Werewolf
Hartwood Hometown Music Fest
Hartwood Acres
Sunday June 20, 2010
Hampton Township

These guys pretty much are the definition of 'rock stars'. They wear their confidence squarely on their sleeves and it comes out through the music. Again, relying on my brother's opinion, he said they sounded like KISS. Not a bad comparison when you are being a rock star.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Image Of The Day-"Leap-The-Dips"

Meeting Of Important People
Hartwood Hometown Music Fest
Hartwood Acres
Sunday June 20, 2010
Hampton Township

These guys rocked out Hartwood. My brothers favorite band of the afternoon. I cannot wait for the two release shows coming up at the T'bird and Warhol. Are you impatient as I am? This article has the link to download the EP right now!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Summer Sunday Ticket Giveaway # 2 - B.B. King

Trib Total Media Amphitheatre
Tuesday July 13, 2010
Station Square

I mean, what can you say...he's the King of the Blues!
My continuing thanks to the cool people of Drusky Entertainment for the exclusive opportunity available to the readers of this blog.
As with last week's wildly successful contest, all you have to do is email me at hughshows@comcast.net with the subject line 'BB King'. In the message, supply the full name you want for the folks at will call the night of the show which will be good for two tickets. Sorry, parking not included. One entry per person.
This contest will run until Saturday July 10 when the winner will be randomly picked and contacted.
Also remember, next Sunday starts a new contest for a different show. Good luck!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

First/Last-Emily Rodgers


Yeah, yeah...I realize it's not Friday but yours truly is going out of town for a few days and since the blog literally blows up for this wildly popular segment, I will not be denying my dedicated readers their weekly First/Last fix.
Today features Emily, who I partially credit for helping me get into local music in the first place. She will be playing Howler's next Thursday July 8th, and since it's her only confirmed date for the summer, you don't want to miss it. Without further ado:


The first album you ever bought?
Cassette: The Bangles-Everything (2nd grade), or possibly something New Kids on the Block. Though I don't think I ever owned any of their music, just a variety of paraphernalia from J.C. Penney including a giant button, a Joey McIntyre key chain, and a fluorescent orange t-shirt
First CD: Green Day-Dookie (8th grade).

Your last album bought?
The Cynics-Cynicism and This Mortal Coil-Filigree & Shadow.

Favorite album of all time?
Two more recent favs: Iron & Wine-Creek Drank the Cradle, Great Lake Swimmers-(s/t)
Standbys: Paul Simon-Rhythm of the Saints, R.E.M-Monster, Nirvana-In Utero.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Post-Creek Drank the Cradle Iron & Wine...

First concert attended?
The Violent Femmes in Elkhart, IN.

Last concert?
Lohio in Athens, OH (while on tour with them...a bizarre show in a college kid's basement...though it should be said that the night before we played a fantastic show in Louisville at a great art space). Last big show: Johann Johannsson at the Rex in Pittsburgh.

Favorite concert ever?
múm at the Brew House in Pittsburgh (2004-ish).
Least favorite concert?
I think I can safely say that it was Up With People in 1996...

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Moving to Pittsburgh and meeting a few choice musicians was life-changing for me. I'd listened to a lot of acoustic/more formulaic Americana non-commercial music but I'd never heard records put out on indie labels like Misra, Secretly Canadian, Merge, Kill Rock Stars, etc. Listening to this music, specifically artists including: Thalia Zedek, Jason Molina (Songs: Ohia, Magnolia Electric Company), Cat Power, Nina Nastasia, Tony Dekker (Great Lake Swimmers), Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), Kristin Hersh. It really opened me up creatively to hear this sort of innovative songwriting and art-rock that was new to me. And from that initiation 6 years ago I have somehow landed a contract with Misra, which was an (or I thought because I am a seasoned pessimist) impossible goal a few years ago.


Thanks a lot Emily. 'Up With People'? I honestly don't even know what that is but it just SOUNDS awful.

Image Of The Day-"Dear Citizens"

Colonizing The Cosmos
Hartwood Hometown Music Fest
Hartwood Acres
Sunday June 20, 2010
Hampton Township

So my recent enthusiasm for this band has not diminished one iota since settling in and familiarizing myself with their music. In fact, it has only intensified with the additional release of a live EP (free to boot!) and having the opportunity to see them play again. They have such a cool vibe going. For some reason they seem to me to be a band that's best suited playing outdoors. Their sound not only could fill up a room but as they proved at Hartwood, an entire meadow.