First/Last-Marshall LaCount

As I previously stated, the band Dark Dark Dark came out of nowhere this year and put out a little EP called Bright Bright Bright. You can listen to it here. It was unequivocally my favorite release this year. The band's co-leader Marshall was awesome enough to give an interview in March. He was also kind enough, fittingly so, to participate in this final post of the year known as First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?

La Bamba and Top Gun soundtracks.

Your last album bought?

Waka Flocka Flame's Flockaveli.

Mountain Man's Made the Harbor.

Favorite album of all time?

No fair, there are several.

Callers "Life of Love". Nico Muhly "Mothertongues". Mountain Man "Made the Harbor".

Brute Heart "Brass Beads". Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship "Of Resolutions and Resolve". Uke of Spaces Corners "Flowers in the Night". Caethua "The Long Afternoon of Earth".

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Don't know.

First concert attended?

Foo Fighters.

Last concert?

Can't remember. Ours.

Favorite concert ever?

Dark Dark Dark, Brute Heart, and the Weather Duo at the Cedar Cultural Center in Mpls.

Least favorite concert?

Dark Dark Dark in Boise, Idaho.

Favorite thoughts/experiences about Pittsburgh?

We've spent a good amount of time in Pittsburgh and in Braddock. We have many friends there and love a lot of people. We came through on Why? tour and played at the college, but in the past we've played at the Nerve, at Morning Glory, at the Cemetery on Easter, and in basements. There is a really great community in Pittsburgh, doing interesting and important things. While I'm at it, I'll plug The Transformazium in Braddock. It is a very great and ambitious endeavor, and needs lots of help and resources.

Thanks so much Marshall. You have been incredibly nice to me this year. It was such a pleasure to finally meet you and hear you play. Your music will always be something very special to me.

Image of the Day-"2010 Photos"

As the band came out to the most amazingly spectacular opening I will ever see, Wayne knocks me in the head with his huge balloon. He looks at me to see if I was all right and giving a wink to only me, proceeds to put on the funnest show this year.

Jeff Baron is my favorite musician in this city. I only saw him play once this year.

I was the only photographer this night. At the last minute, my man from Clear Channel hops up with a point and shoot and tells me that the boys play to the cameras. A few minutes later Mike is in my face shredding.

Making a horror movie is fun. I know. I worked on 'Silence of the Lambs'. I know what a fake gun feels like in my hands. Chill Josh, Dan is trying to do something other than act.

Did I say Jeff Baron? I meant Becky Corrigan. Playing a coffeeshop that closed down this year is heartbreaking to me. I want to see her play again.

My Wilco photo got into the newspaper. Not this one.

My friends chill before the show.

This was all the right lighting. Soldiers & Sailors is a cool place to shoot.

I asked them if it was cool to take a few pictures. They both said sure, like someone wanted to take a picture of them talking about the setlist? I did.

Image of the Day-"Opening Act"

As I wrap up the year, I wanted to post some photos of bands that I never gave a proper shout out to after their show. It's not that these groups were bad at all, it's that I just simply never got around to preparing a review for them. I usually use the opening act for getting sight lines and light levels for the main act. Call it practice if you will.

Noot d' Noot opening for of Montreal

Javelin opening for Girl Talk

Eric Baker opening for Heart

Dave Pellow opening the Haiti Benefit

BOAZ opening for Girl Talk

Fang Island opening for The Flaming Lips

2010-Behind The Scenes

How cool it is to be a music fan and watch people create? I have been incredibly lucky this year to be able to be that 'fly on the wall'.

Shows of 2010-Local Bands Part 2

Shows of 2010-Local Bands Part 1

Again, this is a futile exercise. Seeing many great sets this year I have to divide this list in two. Second installment posted tomorrow. No rhyme, no reason, just great music. Click the image for the review