Musical Break

It's been a busy couple of weeks: handling press and the completion of a new exhibition video for the Museum has filled most of my time lately, but more on that later... right now I'm looking forward to a week's vacation.

Here comes the sunnier days for musician Diego Garcia...
but it's alright. Photo by Jeremy Clowe. 

It kicked off in grand style this past Friday, as we attended a concert by Diego Garcia in downtown Albany, courtesy of our friends at radio station, WEXT. For the uninitiated, Garcia is an Argentine-American musician whose work we like quite a bit (we even chose his cover of the Kinks' "Strange Effect" as our first dance); his album Laura (inspired by the separation from his girlfriend, now wife) was one of my favorites from last year, and he has just released his second, entitled Paradise. The overall mood is a bit lighter on this sophomore release, which had me concerned, as I tend to be attracted to the grayer shades of contemporary music (as Sarah is quick to point out). No worries though: as we heard during his lively concert, there is plenty more strong material to be enjoyed this time around (and we continue to love Zeke Zima's passionate Spanish guitar playing).

A week before, we were treated to another special concert by WEXT, going to see Fitz and the Tantrums with fellow Los Angelelians, Capital Cities. This was our forth time seeing Fitz and his band perform (their neo-soul album, Picking Up The Pieces was another one of my recent favorites). Like Garcia, I was a little worried that their latest album, More Than Just a Dream, was going to stray too far from the more thoughtful tone of its predecessor (same story: musician writes fantastic album inspired by the loss of his then-girlfriend). No problem. There is still good material (especially the first six songs), and the band seems more confident than ever onstage. 

I miss hearing more of Fitz's classic soul vibe on More Than Just a Dream, but their sound has embraced even more of a new wave style, which has its interesting moments. And talk about flashback... I think their opening act, Capital Cities, would have no problem fitting in back in 1982... talk about your synthpop dance party! It was good fun, and also nice to recognize a couple of their songs, "Safe and Sound" and "Kangaroo Court," which I had already been enjoying on the radio.

What else have I been listening to lately... well, I really dig what I have heard of Arcade Fire's double-album, Reflektor. The band certainly has been consistent in quality over the years, and the "retro" electro sound again has to be pointed out... sort of dark, new wave mashed up with Haitian rhythms, which I can't complain about. I was also delighted to learn that David Bowie sings backup on the title song: each time I listen, I find myself excitedly waiting for his lines... about halfway through.

Since we are talking about the blurred line of past/future rock and roll, I should point out the recent passing of musician Lou Reed. I have admired some of his higher profile songs ("Perfect Day," "Sweet Jane," "Walk on the Wild Side"), but must admit to knowing little of the larger body of his work, solo or with the Velvet Underground... it seems I should, as he pretty much paved the way for Bowie and many of the indie, alternative rockers I listen to today. I do recall, months before his death, being surprised at how "modern" the Velvets' song "Rock & Roll" sounded when it came on the radio.

Ok, writing this blog has started to feel like the work I'm trying to take a break from, so time to for me to tune in (music, music) and drop out. Enjoy the sound samples, and I'll write more soon.

"Just a reflektor..." Photo courtesy David Bowie (Official) Facebook. All rights reserved.

Related Links:

diegogarcianyc.com

fitzandthetantrums.com

capitalcitiesmusic.com

arcadefire.com

davidbowie.com

exit977.org

"Lou Reed, 1942-2003," Rolling Stone, November 6, 2013

Soul Picnic

It was a productive Saturday, filled with wedding planning and lots of walking around town on a clear, sunny afternoon. 

We finally figured out the videographer for our big day, which was a relief (considering my own background, it's funny how long that took to finalize!). We also started planning out our honeymoon. Things are coming together...

I started the day off listening to this new band, Alabama Shakes--I think they have a really nice, soulful sound, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I only just realized that the leader singer was a she (thought it was a man, man). She has sort of a cool Janis Joplin thing happening... this one is particularly good:

With Fitz & The Tantrums at WEXT.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

I think I mentioned before that another soulful band we have grown to love is Fitz & The Tantrums. They definitely channel that old classic soul vibe, and their album Picking Up The Pieces was my absolute favorite from last year.

Yes, they are included in the My Exit show I recorded for WEXT. You can hear it for yourself as the show is re-broadcast tomorrow, Sunday, May 20, starting at 10 a.m. ET. In fact, the first time I heard the band play live was at the WEXT studios last year... and so began my appreciation for all things Fitz (would love to interview them sometime!)

The band is currently hard at work recording a new album, and just offered this cool EP that was recorded during their concert at The House of Blues in Boston last Fall--Sarah and I actually attended the gig, so it's cool to have this! Here is the link to the free download (parental discretion advised):

On a different musical front, we checked out a cool brass band concert this evening just down the street at Union College, that was followed by fireworks! It was a pretty meaningful affair... I'll talk more about that later...


exit977.org

www.alabamashakes.com

http://fitzandthetantrums.com

Dancing Machine

In just a couple hours we'll be doing the improv thing again at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, MA (show starts at 7:30 p.m.). Apparently the show is being presented as part of the week-long Cabin Fever Festival-- who knew? 


Speaking of shaking off those winter blues, I think I have been "officially" chosen as RBIT's resident dance artist. Fine by me... any chance I can get to get my dance on. There should be quite a bit of fancy footwork this weekend, as Sarah and I also plan on attending the Annual Dance Flurry Festival in Saratoga, New York. All genres of performance and participatory dance will be presented, and should give us a chance to work on some proper moves for the wedding... maybe a little capoeira?


To get ready, here's a vid passed on by the great Fitz & The Tantrums this week:





Dance = L.O.V. for you and me!