Image Of The Day-"Imaginary Bars"

Great Lake Swimmers
Friday August 28, 2009
Schenley Plaza
Oakland

This was my fifth time seeing Tony and Erik since 2005. I arrived late and Erik saw me at the side of the stage and exclaimed, "I knew you would be here!" Miss my boys from the north in Pittsburgh? Never, man. They seem to have gotten quite a little following since the 'early days'. It's nice to see a band you love get the recognition they deserve. I also witnessed something I thought I would never see at one of their shows...people dancing? Crazy world. More photos here.

Image Of The Day-"Neighborhood Roofs"

Good Night, States
Rehearsal 'Mansion'
Friday August 21, 2009
Larryville

As reported previously, I had the extreme pleasure to photograph the group as they ran through the new EP for the upcoming release show on Friday September 11 at The Thunderbird. It was so much fun hanging out them and I always enjoy seeing the dynamic of a band in 'real life'. They couldn't have been more cool and welcoming to me and I appreciate it so much. The material is translated extremely well live and you should definitely be at The Thunderbird to hear it for yourself. As if that wasn't reason enough to go, the boys from Meeting Of Important People are opening! I will be seeing them again this month in Carnegie at the annual blues fest and I will review the EP proper in an upcoming post. Enjoy lots more photos here.

Image Of The Day-"Further In Further Down"

Silence So Loud
The GAP
Thursday August 20, 2009
Shadyside

As many of you probably don't know, I freelance around town for various publications and whatnot. I get other assignments besides concert photography and on this particular night I was covering an event at The GAP in Shadyside for Maniac Magazine. It just so happens that there was a band there called Silence So Loud from Ohio. I never heard of them before but they were very nice guys and sounded good considering the awkward position they were in playing as people meandered into and throughout the store. I was told later that Ben Hardt was doing a similar gig at The GAP in Robinson. Nothing against the boys from Akron but I wish I would have hit the other store instead, just because I am more familiar with Ben's stuff. More photos here.

Image Of The Day-"Flood Season"

Horse Or Cycle
Mariage Blanc Studio
Friday August 14, 2009
Pittsburgh

These guys were good. I didn't get a chance to really enjoy the set due to the fact that I HAD to take a breather outside. The room was an oven by the time they played. I will definately check them out again soon.

Image Of The Day-"Trevor's Magic Box"

Good Night, States
Rehearsal Space
Friday August 21, 2009
Larryville

I was fortunate enough to hang with GNS as they went over and practiced the new EP to be released on September 11 at the Thunderbird Cafe. I was sent an advanced copy of said EP, In The Impossible Tension, and have been loving it. A proper review is coming soon enough. As I entered the house the band couldn't have been more cordial to me. Trevor began the afternoon by explaining to me his creation. This box did something or another with a radio and the keyboard. Phasing this and that, it sounded extremely complex. He didn't touch the bass once. My man. More soon.

Image Of The Day-"Lace Up Your Workboots"

Boca Chica
Mariage Blanc Studio
Friday August 14, 2009
Pittsburgh

A last minute addition to the nights line-up, Hallie and Co. played a handful of new tunes that will be on her upcoming release.

Image Of The Day-"Indie Rock"

Lohio
Mariage Blanc Studio
Friday August 14, 2009
Pittsburgh

I got an e-mail from Mariage Blanc's Josh letting me know that there was a party they were having and if I wanted to come. Yeah, sure. He also mentioned that his band, Lohio, The Harlan Twins, Meeting Of Important People, Horse Or Cycle, and Donora were playing too. Um...HECK YEAH! Unfortunately, I couldn't hang late and with nights like this being loose and all, I missed some of the bands. The setup was way cool with a recording studio adjacent to the practice space under their apartment. The lighting was minimal at best so the photos aren't that great but still, a killer place they have there. Thanks so much fellas.

Image Of The Day-"Windfall"

Son Volt
Sunday August 9, 2009
Hartwood Acres Amphitheater
Hampton Township

I was late to this show due to a hellish ride from Gettysburg earlier in the day with my family. I was so tired I actually left a during the encore. They sounded great but Jay Farrar is THE least charismatic rock star I have ever seen. Someone snagged a setlist.

Image Of The Day-"To Ohio"

The Low Anthem
Tuesday August 4, 2009
WYEP Studios
Southside

Man, was this band quiet for this session. I always try to consider my camera shutter making noise during a performance (especially one broadcast on the radio!) thus distracting the audience or even worse the band. For some reason, I had the assumption that this band would rock out. I couldn't have been more wrong. Even though they were 'delicate', they were great. I should have hit the show proper that night. As a bonus, YEP finally changed the lighting scheme in the room, so no more orange musicians! More photos here.

Setlist-Beautiful Ground

Jason Lytle
Friday July 31, 2009
Riverplex Amphitheater at Sandcastle
Homestead

Sorry for the delay in posts but I seriously enjoyed the time off. I am still trying to figure out my role in this 'burgh blogh community. I want to provide the latest info and and be relevant without being repetitive. My photos do that but damn it's a ton of work. As I said before I left, I have a ton of stuff backlogged and I am going to start with Jason's set list. He opened for Neko Case and was amazing and as nice as a person could be. She was good as well but I really don't think I want to get into that right away, that post is for another day. I will have more images from the show eventually but for now let me just say his solo disc is kicking my world.