Wednesday, July 27, 2016

First/Last - Whitney Ann Jenkins and her Platonic Guy Friends

Image courtesy Whitney Ann Jenkins

"Originally from the picturesque landscape of West Virginia, Whitney Ann grew up in a household that nurtured creativity. Her father, Junior, would play guitar in his knowledge of seeming solitude and she would hide around the corner and listen with admiration. Her love of performing resulted in soaking up every opportunity that presented itself."

Whitney Ann Jenkins and her Platonic Guy Friends is an Pittsburgh based folk rock band lead by singer-songwriter Whitney Ann Jenkins. With their 2105 release Down Stage Left, the band play out all over Pittsburgh and Whitney will be playing a solo spot this upcoming Sunday (7/31) at Pittsburgh Winery opening up for Planes on Paper from Washington State. I want to thank Whitney for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.


The first album you ever bought?
I think... Patsy Cline. I was intoxicated by her raw emotion.

Your last album bought?
The Lion by Benjamin Scheuer. I bought it after I saw his show at City Theatre in Pittsburgh. Incredible guitarist--like no one I've ever seen, and such a beautiful songwriter and storyteller.

Favorite album of all time?
Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks or Joni Mitchell's Blue, it's a coin toss.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
I don't think I've ever listened to an album thinking I was disappointed in it. If I don't like something, I turn it off...

First concert attended?
My parents took me to see Wynona Judd. The first I really remember remember was Elton John.

Last concert?
Meghann Wright and The Sure Thing. My band and I opened for her and she's the real deal.

Favorite concert ever?
Grace Potter! She's such a babe and a rock star. And I was amazed at the span of generations of the crowd, both younger and older enjoying it just the same. I think that says a lot about a "newer" artist.

Least favorite concert?
I went to see Dave Mason in Los Angeles because my friend knew him personally. It was a small venue but there were only about 6 of us there. It was really uncomfortable. But also as a musician, a good lesson. Sometimes the crowd may be sparse but that doesn't mean you perform at a level less than if you were playing a sold out stadium show. An audience member is an audience member and they all deserve the same.


Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Beyond the top ten lists and sports fanaticism, Pittsburgh has a lot of potential. It's exciting to watch it transform and embrace change and make its mark on the world.


Thanks, Whitney. As a music fan, I wholeheartedly agree with you on the notion that a musician should attempt to give their all onstage, no matter how many people show up.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

First/Last - Brad Byrd

https://s3.amazonaws.com/bit-photos/large/6425804.jpeg
Image courtesy Brad Byrd

"Indie-rock/folk singer/songwriter Brad Byrd has been crafting hooky, timeless, left-of-center pop songs since 2003. His body of work has been described as both “haunting” and “soulful”, and he was recently sited as “One of the top artists from the Cape Ann, MA area alongside Paula Cole” in Boston's popular music rag - "The Noise" (July 2012). With penetrating melodies, and lyrical imagery that effortlessly deciphers the human condition the “on the verge” indie-rock singer/songwriter has been delighting crowds in the local bar/club, coffee shop scenes from LA, to NYC and all over New England."

Brad Byrd is an folk rocker from Rowley, MA who's is busy working on his third album to be released in the fall. He is finding time to tour this Summer and hits the Pittsburgh Winery this Saturday (7/30) opening for Christopher the Conquered. I want to thank Brad for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.


The first album you ever bought?
Kiss Alive II.

Your last album bought?
Beck Morning Phase.

Favorite album of all time?
Very difficult... too many to name but Nada Surf Let Go.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
???

First concert attended?
Ratt, I believe?

Last concert?
The Darkness at Irving Plaza in April.

Favorite concert ever?
Afghan Whigs at the Fonda Theater in L.A. (last year).


Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
‘All The Right Moves’...

Thanks, Brad. "You know, Nickerson, you are not God! Huh? You're just a typing teacher!"

Monday, July 25, 2016

First/Last - Smokey Bellows


"The music we make deals with the abstracts that work their way through my head everyday. Heavily influenced by punk rock, but also the blues, folk and bluegrass. The music we make (to me), over the past year, warped its way into a dizzying fusion of a lot of poetry and frustration. The band behind me changed everything; I started this project as a simple acoustic singer/songwritery kind of deal."

Smokey Bellows (formerly Dick Whiskey and the Bottle Openers) is a bluesy folk rock band from Pittsburgh who will release their fantastic debut entitled Half Lucid and the Other Half via First Flight Records with a bash at The Funhouse at Mr. Small's this Saturday (7/30) with special guests Cousin Boneless and Essential Machine. I want to thank Dick Whiskey (AKA Nick Bigatel) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.



The first album you ever bought?
Not sure.... maybe a B-52s album.

Your last album bought?
Willie Nelson – Stardust.

Favorite album of all time?
Tom Petty – Wildflowers.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Too many to name.

First concert attended?
Mushroomhead.

Last concert?
Murder by Death.

Favorite concert?
Chris Pureka at the Brown Hotel.

Least favorite concert?
Marilyn Manson (he was a douche bag, sounded like shit and it wasn't fun at all.)


Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
It has an ever growing art and music scene and there's never a shortage of new things to discover. Food's not bad either.

Thanks, Nick. Saturday looks like all kinds of fun, man. And Marilyn Manson acting like a douche? Shocker!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Ladyfest Pittsburgh 2016



Learn all about Ladyfest Pittsburgh 2016 going down this weekend in Pittsburgh at The Shop, Howler's Spirit, Hambone's, and Mr. Roboto Project.

Stream the Ladyfest PGH 2016 Comp HERE



Full details below.

Ladyfest Pittsburgh is an annual three-day festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania featuring female-fronted and female-dominant acts. Ladyfest Pittsburgh benefits the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. It is organized by the members of the Pittsburgh bands The Lopez and Brazilian Wax. ♥ ♥

Ladyfest Pittsburgh 2016 Lineup:

Friday, July 15th /// 6pm /// all ages /// $8
The Shop
4314 Main Street

REIGN CHECK (https://www.facebook.com/reigncheck)
VSG (http://vsgmusic.bandcamp.com/album/a-quality-demo)
THE RIZZOS (https://therizzos.bandcamp.com/)
MURDER FOR GIRLS (https://murderforgirls.bandcamp.com/)
BLACK PLANET (https://blackplanett.bandcamp.com/)
UTAH JAZZ (https://utahjazz.bandcamp.com/)

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Friday, July 15th /// 9pm /// 21+ /// $8
Howler's
4509 Liberty Avenue

LOVE DUMPSTER (https://www.facebook.com/Love-Dumpster-1522350841379731/)
JACQUEA MAE (https://www.facebook.com/JacqueaMae)
BLAK RAPP MADUSA (https://www.facebook.com/Blak-Rapp-Madusa-1409426912625704)
SLEEPY KITTY (https://sleepykitty.bandcamp.com/)
DERIDER (https://deriderpgh.bandcamp.com/)
TRASH BAG (https://trashbagmusic.bandcamp.com/)

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Saturday, July 16th /// 4pm /// 21+ /// $10
Spirit
242 51st Street

FRANNY MOON (http://www.musicianshotsheet.com/news-reviews/main-stage/355-moon-0416.html)
HET WARD (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDqEkVF_eNM&app=desktop)
BIG GIRLS (https://www.facebook.com/BIG-Girls-165444523790318/?fref=ts)
SUN HOUND (https://sunhound.bandcamp.com/)
THE FRESHES (https://soundcloud.com/the-freshes/sets/a-little-taste)
EVAN GREER (https://evangreer.bandcamp.com/)
THE VAN ALLEN BELT (https://thevanallenbelt.bandcamp.com/)
THE GARMENT DISTRICT (https://thegarmentdistrict.bandcamp.com/)
COME HOLY SPIRIT (https://soundcloud.com/comeholyspirit)
UNO LADY (https://unolady.bandcamp.com/)
SWAMPWALK (https://swampwalkin.bandcamp.com/)
THE LOPEZ (https://thelopez.bandcamp.com/)
MOOR MOTHER (https://moormothergoddess.bandcamp.com/)
BOILED DENIM (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boiled-Denim/303891612956187)
BRAZILIAN WAX (https://brazilianwaxpgh.bandcamp.com/)

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Sunday, July 17th /// 11am /// all ages /// donation only
Hambone's
4207 Butler Street

JOANNA LOWE (https://ceeteecee.bandcamp.com/album/the-occasional-epiphany)
DORI CAMERON (https://soundcloud.com/dori-cameron)
SARAH HALTER (www.facebook.com/blueclutch)
FAT IDA
SERPENTINE (https://grassinthesnake.bandcamp.com/)
LISS VICTORY (https://soundcloud.com/lissvictory)
PIEROGI PIZZA (https://pierogipizza.bandcamp.com/)

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Sunday, July 17th /// 3pm /// all ages /// $10
Roboto
5106 Penn Avenue

DINOSOUL (https://dinosoul.bandcamp.com/album/tree-star)
NOTHING (https://nothingnothingnothing.bandcamp.com/)
NAPPETITE (https://soundcloud.com/annaazizzy)
MIDDLE CHILDREN (https://midchild.bandcamp.com/)
THE TELEPHONE LINE (https://telelinepgh.bandcamp.com/)
DUMPLINGS (https://dumplings.bandcamp.com/)
GILING
OLD GAME (https://oldgame.bandcamp.com/)
RUE (https://chatteltail.bandcamp.com/)

Friday, July 8, 2016

Deutschtown Music Festival Preview - Paddy the Wanderer


Performing "Phantom Limb" live on air at the WDVE Morning Show Coffeehouse on Thursday, July 7, 2016.
Paddy the Wanderer play the Park Stage at the 4th Annual Deutschtown Music Festival on Saturday, July 9 at 2PM.
#DTownMF 

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Deutschtown Music Festival Preview - Sun Hound


Performing "Tumbleweed" live on air at the WDVE Morning Show Coffeehouse on Wednesday, July 6, 2016.
Sun Hound play Scratch Food & Beverage at the 4th Annual Deutschtown Music Festival on Friday, July 8 at 10PM.
#DTownMF

Deutschtown Music Festival Preview - Some Kind of Animal

Performing "Clouds" live on air at the WDVE Morning Show Coffeehouse on Wednesday, July 6, 2016.
Some Kind of Animal play Wigle Wkiskey Barrelhouse at the 4th Annual Deutschtown Music Festival on Saturday, July 9 at 4PM.
#DTownMF