First/Last-Cricket Blue

"Botanical, spooky, umbilically-resonant folk. Words about myth, love, wishes, disappointment, friendship, potential futures, and the ends of things."

Cricket Blue is a folk duo from Burlington, VT. They have a beautiful self-titled EP out and I want to thank Laura Heaberlin (Guitar/Vocals) and Taylor Smith (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Laura Heaberlin: Well, gosh, that would have to be “FanMail” by TLC. In terms of the first album I really bonded with, I had this tape by The Bangles that I did a lot of lip-syncing to alone in my room when I was five.
Taylor Smith: My parents are musicians and have great taste so I mostly listened to their music until pretty late in life. When I got a computer of my own in high school and started exploring iTunes, that was when I started finding new things for myself. And I think my first iTunes download was “Illinois” by Sufjan Stevens because my much more musically hip friends were all into it.

Your last album bought?
Laura: A couple days ago I finally received a much-anticipated Christmas present, “Ionia” by Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys. Our friends Jeff and Sue went out to Michigan to record and film the whole album - it's fun and beautiful!
Taylor: So, wow: “Carrie & Lowell” by Sufjan Stevens is actually my most recently bought album. My life isn't as Sufjan-centric as this interview is making it seem.

Favorite album of all time?
Laura: “Young Man in America” by Anaïs Mitchell.
Taylor: “In the Aeroplane over the Sea” by Neutral Milk Hotel.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Taylor: For disappointment: I remember being really super over-hyped for Arcade Fire's “The Suburbs” because I'd adored their first two; then the record came out and I liked a couple tracks, but mostly it just didn't click. I remember saying "This doesn't sound like anything." I guess they went in a more vibe-y, beat-oriented direction and I missed the hooks. I've revisited it since and have more appreciation for it now. I think it's a good record; a lot of my friends loved it and obviously it won the Grammy! But I couldn't find my way in for some reason.
I don't think I can pick a least favorite. I think I mostly forget about things I don't like.
Laura: I'm with Taylor on this one. If I don't like an album I won't listen to it enough for it to make an impression on me. And I guess the inner circle of artists I follow most closely are constantly peaking!

First concert attended?
Laura: Christina Aguilera. Front row. Remember being amazed at how little live music was involved in the performance.
Taylor: Steven Curtis Chapman, who's this Christian rock guy. I was probably 5 or 6. I grew up in Georgia, so.

Last concert?
Laura: Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards.
Taylor: And the Kids.

Favorite concert ever?
Laura: Oooh, in my mind the smaller the better. My happiest live music experiences are probably house shows that my friends have played. There was one Anaïs Mitchell show she played with Rachel Ries back when they were releasing their “Country EP” that I remember to be particularly moving. And seeing Jeff Mangum in a little church was powerful.
Taylor: I saw Joanna Newsom in this cool synagogue with her band and they played all my favorite songs. A couple times I've seen shows where the set list ends up being serendipitously more or less identical to my ideal. That happened with The Decemberists for me too.
I'm glad Neutral Milk Hotel are touring again. Their show was remarkable because people sang along to everything and were filled with this just crazy joyful energy. It didn't even really feel like a concert, it was this communal adventure that was sort of led by the band but didn't necessarily belong to them. It was spiritual.

Least favorite concert?
Laura: Hands down it was Ween. We had gotten there very early to be in the front, it was raining the whole time, so loud, and I had to physically fight to stay standing because so many people were trying to get closer to the stage. I can't comment on the musicality of the night because I was too grumpy to form real musical memories.
Taylor: Wolf Parade were way too loud. Great band, just painfully over-the-top volume that night. Probably not their fault.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Laura: I wish I'd been and that I had a good story to tell! I look forward to it.
Taylor: I've never been to Pittsburgh, but I think a friend of mine's band might be moving there soon? Presumably because it's awesome, so we'll have to come visit!

Thanks to both of you. A band moving to Pittsburgh? That is cool. Tell your friend to look me up, Taylor.

First/Last-Coquette

"Coquette is a wildly energetic American indie band with Franco Anglo roots based in Central Vermont. Influenced by Prog Rock and Punk, they have created a varied, frenetic kind of Alternative Rock, with a strong focus on composition. They play regularly in Montpelier, have played several festivals around Vermont, occasionally headlining. They are continually writing new material, play at any opportunity they can grab, and have plans to conquer first New England, then The World!?"

Coquette is an indie prog funk trio from Vermont who's latest release is entitled "Seperatio". I want to thank Colbert Tolbert (Guitar/Vocals), Angus Davis (Bass/Vocals) and Titian Tolbert (Drums/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Cobalt Tolbert: Pretty sure it was the ‘Shrek’ soundtrack… I no longer have any affiliation with Smashmouth… Ahem...
Angus Davis: “Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables” by Dead Kennedys.
Titien Tolbert: The earliest one that I can think of is Marilyn Manson’s “Holy Wood”. Pretty sure we stole that from a French supermarket. So I guess that doesn’t count as bought.

Your last album bought?
Cobalt: Do comedy albums count? “Louis CK Live At The Comedy Store”. Yeah, that counts. Oh and I recently got “Kind Of Blue” too. Mmmhmmmm.
Angus: The Strokes’ “First Impressions [of Earth]” on vinyl.
Titien: Uh… Marilyn Manson’s “Holy Wood”?

Favorite album of all time?
Cobalt: This past few months I can’t seem to go driving without playing “10,000 Days” by Tool. Before that it was probably “Amputechture” by The Mars Volta or “Favourite Worst Nightmare” by Arctic Monkeys. “Expanding Anyway” by Morning Teleportation is one of my all-time favorites. I’m just gonna say “Bat Out Of Hell” by Meatloaf. That’s right.
Angus: I’m pretty sure it would be “Goblin” or “Wolf” by Tyler, The Creator or something… favorite album… Art Blakey’s “Jazz Messengers” w/ Thelonious Monk. I can say that’s up there at least.
Titien: The one album that I’ve obsessed over consistently for the past few years is “Them Crooked Vultures’” self-titled.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Cobalt: I remember being so pissed off when I first heard “...Like Clockwork” by Queens Of The Stone Age; it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. Now it’s my favorite of theirs.
Angus: I don’t listen to music I don’t like, so I don’t have a least favorite album.
Titien: I wanna say “Eat Me, Drink Me”, but I don’t wanna keep talking about Marilyn Manson. I mean, it’s awesome, but it lost so much ROCK.

First concert attended?
Cobalt: Alanis Morissette, Bangkok, ‘99. Yep.
Angus: That’s hard… It was either George Thorogood or Bo Diddley. I don’t remember. He was talking about how women aren’t doing things right, so I just fell asleep.
Titien: Alanis Morissette, Bangkok, ‘99. Mhmm.

Last concert?
Cobalt: New Nile Orchestra. Yeah, Afropop!
Angus: Red Hot Juba.
Titien: I think it was Grundlefunk. It was packed. And really good.

Favorite concert ever?
Cobalt: I saw St. Vincent a few weeks ago at Higher Ground, and it was just great. Korn and Rob Zombie at Mayhem Fest 2010 was awesome too. I grew up listening to those guys.
Angus: Primusssssss!
Titien: St. Vincent, not only because it was an amazing show, but I was really emotionally invested. I was going through a tough time and it actually made me feel better.

Least favorite concert?
Angus: Probably Matt And Kim.
Cobalt: Yeah, their show was kickass, but the crowd they pulled was the most pretentious, non-inclusive one I’ve ever seen… Oh crap, I just made a bunch of enemies, didn’t I?
Titien: There was some show where the opening band was REALLY bad. They were trying to be weird and experimental, which I appreciate, but it was the first time I looked at a band and just thought “what are you doing? Whyyy?” Just a bad band. There was no rhythm; they weren’t working together.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

Cobalt: That kid from Weeds REALLY wants to go there.

Angus: They got killer heroes. Like hoagies. They make good steaks, good sandwiches. I know about it.

Thanks, guys. I keep hearing about this character from Weeds but never saw the show. Why does he want to come here? 'Cause there supposedly lots of weed?

Image of the Day-Deutschtown Music Festival Benefit

The Deutschtown Music Festival Fundraiser with Working Breed, André Costello and the Cool Minors, Chet Vincent & The Big Bend and Big Gypsy at the Andy Warhol Museum on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Deutschown Music Festival returns this year to take over the North Side of Pittsburgh on Saturday, July 11, 2015. The organizers of the event are hoping to be able to pay the bands this third year and they have launched an ambitious Indiegogo campaign to do just that. Let's SUPPORT PITTSBURGH MUSIC and help spread the word. They also put on shows leading up to the fest and this one featured some of my favorite local bands. The revelation this particular night was my first time seeing the powerhouse quartet Big Gypsy. They are a smoking soul stirring blues-rock band that is quickly and deservedly gaining popularity. Do yourself a favor and check them out.

Working Breed

 

Ben Harrison of the Warhol Museum

 André Costello and the Cool Minor

 

 Chet Vincent & The Big Bend

 

Big Gypsy

 

First/Last-elle belle

 Photo courtesy of Casey Curry

"Destroyer of worlds.
Believer in FUZZZZZZZ.
Foolish son of a foolish son.
LOW & BEHOLD....."

elle belle is a psych garage rock band from Los Angeles and is the moniker for songwriter Christopher Pappas (Guitar/Vocals). They have a cool single out called 'You Better Mean It' which is a huge tease for an impending full length. I want to thank Christopher for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
It was Del tha Funky Homosapien’s “I Wish my Brother George was Here” Sick record… that single ‘Mr. Dobalina’ was beast...

Your last album bought?
I re-bought “Trout Mask Replica” by Captain Beefheart. That whole thing is a masterpiece. Lost my original so I had to re-buy it.

Favorite album of all time?
Yikes, this one is tough. R.E.M.’s “Murmur” is up there… Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was basically WHY I started playing music - so I suppose I have to give that a shout out. Genesis “Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”... “Kid A” was huge for me when it came out... Sonic Youth’s “Washing Machine” is up there too… “Pet Sounds”… The Zombies “Odessey and Oracle”? Am I playing this game wrong?

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I actually was one of the only people in the world that thought “In Rainbows” was disappointing when I first heard it, though I’ll admit it has grown on me in the subsequent years. I literally downloaded it AS SOON as it came out - I was on tour, actually in Pittsburgh! (if I recall!) And the band and I gathered around the computer as it was downloading. We were so pumped and I remember finally pressing play and being so underwhelmed. I thought the concept of how they released the record was, in many ways, more important than the music on the record itself - and looking back, I think that was a disappointing proposition for me.

First concert attended?
It was the Beach Boys in Manchester NH. The Mike Love/Kokomo monstrosity, not the Brian Wilson Beach Boys. Chicago opened.

Last concert?
I’m going to Ride tonight!

Favorite concert ever?
I saw Counting Crows in Boston while they were touring on their second record “Recovering the Satellites”. It was insane. That’s the first one that comes to mind - so I’ll go with it. Though I have to say, my buddies Session Americana have to be up there as well. Father John Misty at Coachella a couple of years ago (I think) was pretty bonkers. David Bazan played a concert in my house once, that was memorable as well, for the obvious reasons. Hmmm, I’m bad at favorites.

Least favorite concert?
Mike Doughty. I was dragged to a show by a couple of fans with the promise of being converted. It ended up being all of us leaving the show early with them not being fans anymore. He was rude, berated the crowd, and was/is completely oblivious to the fact that his lyrics are frat-boy-with-a-thesaurus poetry at best. Ugh. Maybe I caught a bad show. Sorry to any Doughty fans that read this blog.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Cindy Howes! Answering these questions reminded me I haven’t chatted with her in a while. She’s got great taste in music - a Pittsburgh gem!

Thanks, Christopher. Bummer about that Doughty show. That's not the first time I heard he was the 'grumpy' sort. And yeah, Cindy is awesome! Coincidentally, I just saw her yesterday.