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

Sound of Sunshine

Wow. What a great week this has been for music. 

Take me out! Franz Ferdinand, live on Letterman. Photo by Jeremy Clowe. 
All rights reserved.

Thanks to all who tuned into our radio show this past Monday. Sarah and I were heading back from the Franz Ferdinand concert in New York City that evening, and were able to catch the live streaming of the show off our phone. I really think Sarah sounded great, and I enjoyed our banter and song selections. For those who missed it, WEXT will rebroadcast our My Exit show this Saturday, July 27, 8 a.m. ET. 

Franz Ferdinand shining light on the dark of the
matinee. Photo by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Franz Ferdinand was fantastic. We queued up outside of the Ed Sullivan Theater an hour or so before showtime, and caught a glimpse of Paul Shaffer as he left the building following that evening's taping of The Late Show (no sign of Dave Letterman though). It really was interesting being inside of the historic theater, seeing the stage set in-person and realizing how small the venue actually is (I kept thinking that this was where the Beatles made their U.S. debut!) Franz Ferdinand ran through a rocking, energetic set... seriously, I was completely in my element, dancing in the aisles to the band's infectious blend of angular, artsy, indie rock. FF have been consistent songwriters over the years, and I loved hearing many favorites (especially The Dark of the Matinee!). Their new stuff sounds solid as well. 

After the show, which was streamed live on the Letterman website, we were able to meet the Scottish rockers... a real treat! The following day we relived the concert by watching the webcast, still dumbfounded by how small the studio is. You can catch the show here and, if you're look close enough, see me raise my arm in triumphant indie rocker glory.

JC with Alex Kapranos, lead singer of Franz Ferdinand.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Last night we kept the live music theme going by checking out roots rocker JD McPherson  at The Ale House, a very small pub in nearby Troy, New York. I only found out last week about this last-minute show, and I was elated! I have been waiting for McPherson to play in the area... hell... even the East Coast, since I first heard his music a year ago (his album Signs & Signifiers was high on my list of favorite albums for 2012). 

JD McPherson and band rocking out The Ale House, Troy, NY,
July 2013. Photo by Jeremy Clowe. ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

This show really was intimate... it felt like we were in the band's living room! The brick and mortar design of the pub lent a real throwback atmosphere to the gig. Rockabilly at its finest, and McPherson did not disappoint! I mentioned before how, as a performer myself, I am a little intimidated by his vocals... he brings such raw energy and conviction. Real soul. The music has a similar quality... in fact, we met the band after the gig and spoke with them at good length about how they deliberately sought out vintage equipment and recording methods (analogue vs. digital) to get the right groove for their first album. It was a truly memorable evening... a raw, feel-good vibe... the crowd loved the band, and they seemed to feed off of that energy. Sarah said she had a smile on her face the entire evening, and for me it was just a dream to see them in such a venue... Before last week, I had been tempted to drive out again to the Newport Folk Festival, where they are playing this Friday, but they finally came to our backyard. A special evening... I hope they will return soon.

Mr. and Mrs. C with JD. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

This weekend we are heading back to my hometown to visit friends and family. Really looking forward to getting away... with music blaring from the car radio, of course.

Related Links:

Exit 97.7 WEXT (listen live)

www.franzferdinand.com

www.jdmcpherson.com

Live on Letterman

I Belong with You/You Belong with Me

Here's another new band that me and the missus enjoy:



Yes, this was song has been sung to each other on a few occasions recently... pre and post-wedding... and we'll have another opportunity as The Lumineers play the Albany area on Monday, December 17... for free! Another Miller Light Concert show, so you know what that means... yes, WEQX rules.

thelumineers.spinshop.com

Heavy/Light Show

We caught The Heavy last night in Albany. It was a special invite, so tickets were free... and the show was sponsored by Miller Light, so drinks were on the house too. On top of that... we got some Indian food before the show--Sarah had a Groupon, so the grand total for the bill was... $4.00! I swear, this was the cheapest night of quality entertainment I think I have ever had.

The show was alright. The band had a horn section which is always good, but I didn't know too many of the songs. It seemed a little lacking in energy at times, or maybe that was just us... I mean, we were catching this show when we typically head to bed on a work night. Glad we went though... the show was held at the Palace Theater, which is always nice. We'll be catching Morrissey there in just a month... can't wait for that one!

Oh, the show was sponsored by WEQX, which really is the best radio station in the Capital Region... heck, maybe the best I have heard anywhere... it's true, independent radio, with great taste. A couple years ago I was interviewed by The Berkshire Eagle on the occasion of the station's 25th anniversary (the article is archived here)... I was happy to share the love... they have introduced us to many great bands over the last seven years.

How You Like Me Now?

Here's another new band I've been getting into: The Heavy. Good grooves, spirited songs, occasional use of horns... yes, looks like they also are from the UK:



I actually just won some free tickets to their show in Albany on September 27. Sweet! Some good shows happening this fall... perhaps opportunities for me to conduct more music interviews...



www.theheavy.co.uk