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Syndicate Monthly Archives my turn
Corey Amado
June 24, 2008 12:39 PM
Andrew inspired me. That, and it gave me a nice minimal task during lunch....Here’s MY “mixtape for a mixtape”
I’m Good I’m Gone-Lykke Li
   Some Questions Can Never Be Answered
Karen Newton
June 23, 2008 2:55 PM
Was Saturday Veggie Fest in honor of vegan veteran punk rocker Ted Leo playing Gallery 5...or did Ted Leo agree to play rva Saturday because it was the day of Veggie Fest? We’ll probably never know, but for the 100+ hot and sweaty bodies moving non-stop to Ted Leo and the Pharmacists the other night, it was a superfluous question. Ted won the prize for most sweat flung and dripped, but not because those of us in the audience weren’t moving constantly. The band’s high energy set rocked non-stop until there was just about no air left inside Gallery 5. The punk veteran did return for an a cappella encore that grabbed and held the crowd. At Ted’s suggestion, the show was then adjourned so we could all go outside and cool off. Gallery 5 provided a classic garage setting for Ted Leo to strut his punk in Richmond. Thanks Prabir! The National at the National
Karen Newton
June 23, 2008 12:15 PM
It’s going to be tough to convey what an impressive show The National put on last night. I should start with praise for the musicianship of the band’s members and move on to the well-thought out set list. And then there were the two encores, delaying the unfortunate and inevitable end of the show. But, let’s face it, music geek types like me were completely transfixed by Matt Berninger’s voice, a deep and utterly sex-filled baritone. Granted, he grips the microphone Ian Curtis-style making it hard to see the mouth that’s forming those melodious sounds. And his stage presence is most definitely one of awkwardness...when he wasn’t singing, he was back near the drummer or uncomfortably hitting his hand against his hip. This is geeky awkwardness of the highest order and it is absolutely riveting to a certain part of the audience (I couldn’t have been the only one).
I’m put together beautifully
Yes, he is definitely that...for a whole lot of reasons. And getting to hear the band’s self-deprecating yet insightful lyrics live for the second time (last year’s opening stint for Arcade Fire left me-- and, I’m sure-- the rest of the audience eager to hear more) put last night’s show on my Top Five for 2008 list, regardless of who else I may end up seeing. By the way, I don’t know if the rest of the audience noticed, but I think he was singing “Slow Show” to me personally. Mixtape for a Mixtape
Andrew Cothern
June 23, 2008 12:00 AM
You can’t talk about the art of a mixtape (today’s Focus MashUp) and not put it into action. So here is “Mixtape for a Mixtape,” a mixtape about making mixtapes. Click play on the cassette to listen. Enjoy.
Tracklist:
Put On A Slow, Dumb Show for You
Karen Newton
June 20, 2008 12:40 PM
Some people actually listen to song lyrics and some don’t. I’ve accepted this fact, although I don’t understand it...how can you not care what a song is about? Sure, I like some songs because of the overall sound, but far more often, it’s the words that grab me. Which means I love it when I find another lyric-lover. Back on Valentine’s Day, each of us was asked to suggest a romantic song for the website. Without hesitation, my submission was “Slow Show” by The National. No one so much as commented on my choice. So I was thrilled and delighted when, during a conversation last night, I mentioned my romantic song choice, only to be told by a local musician that not only did he know the song, but he agreed wholeheartedly about how incredibly romantic it was. Okay, so he IS a musician, and maybe there’s a higher percentage of lyric lovers amongst musicians than in the general population, but I felt so validated knowing I wasn’t hearing a love song where there was none.
I wanna hurry home to you
...and I’m not even going to start on what a stellar set Marionette played at Cap Ale House last night. And from NYC, The Dig’s high energy inde pop kicked ass. There was a whole lot of good music in rva last night.
The Silent Movie Revival
Karen Newton
June 18, 2008 11:54 AM
If there was something cooler to be doing on a Tuesday night than watching last night’s showing of the avant-garde silent movie UberFall, with musical improvisation provided by New York band Giraffes? Giraffes!, somebody please tell me what it was. Jameson Price, the brilliance behind the Silent Movie Revival is first off, a huge fan of silent film and, as a musician, naturally a music lover. He’s been combining the two for a year now and the result is always amazing. Antlers did the soundtrack in April and the crowd was so large it spilled out onto the sidewalk (I was lucky enough to have a stool that time) and last month Glows in the Dark’s free jazz seduced the audience. And it’s free. If you haven’t checked out the Revival yet, you need to make it a priority next month on Thursday, July 24th at the Firehouse Theater with musical guests Mermaid Skeletons. It’ll be the Revival’s first evening at the Firehouse and although some people may miss the blankets and pillows in front of the screen at Rumors, Jameson is excited about having actual seats and a larger venue. Mermaid Skeletons played the very first Revival and, fittingly, they will inaugurate the new space. Hopefully you already know what a crucial band they are to hear live.
If you’re a film and/or music lover, this should be a no-brainer. Jameson starts the films promptly at 9:00 and the evening rarely runs more than 45 minutes. And did I mention it’s free? Check it out once and you’ll be back. It’s that amazing.
Greg Laswell in store performance at Plan 9 tomorrow
Andrew Cothern
June 17, 2008 2:38 PM
Singer/songwriter Greg Laswell will be stopping by Plan 9 for an in-store performance on Wednesday at 1pm. Laswell will also be playing at Toads Place that evening supporting Ingrid Michaelson. Oh, the friends we make on myspace…
Andrew Cothern
June 15, 2008 10:14 PM
I feel so touched when people out there let us know how much they love us. Like this message from our myspace page for example…
I feel very dirty now. Membership Drive for the Rachel Albright Fans
J.C. Polk
June 13, 2008 9:05 AM
In this election year, I cannot help but become a self proclaimed pundit. Weejuns evolved (or diminshed depending on your view) to the terrible state of having pennies adorned as an accessory. Consequently, here’s my two cents. (you will get that on the way home today). Journalism is a fine art. Comedy is a unique talent. When placed in a mixing bowl, shaken not stirred, you create a concotion that all can enjoy. Allah, Jon Stewart, the world of the unwashed masses was introduced to Richmond’s Finest Field Reporter - Andrew and Corey withstanding.
It is our duty, now recognizing the Murrow Award caliber talent of Rachel Albright, that I humbly file this charter for the R.A.F.T. (Rachel Albright Fan Team). As founding president, I do solemnly swear to uphold, to the best of my ability (and with the Rockers approval) the insertion of Rachel on MashUp on any future on-location episodes...with people...that talk...eat...breathe...live on Earth...or any combination thereof. I dedicate myself to cause of uplifting and promotion of all that she does - public and private. As the steering committee for the RAFT my first order of business is to have a non-sponsored membership drive starting the 13th day of June, in the year of our Lord 2008. Applications are now available here at MashUp Studios or online at RAFT_ForLife.com. Andrew, don’t worry, after seeing you on the Music Seen piece, we have you on the roll as an honorary charter member and your dues for the first year are absolutely free. A Tale of Two Bands
Karen Newton
June 09, 2008 8:17 AM
Everyone’s going to rave about last night’s Rilo Kiley show at Toad’s Place. And, yes, it was a tight, choreographed set from a band who’s currently considered to be at the top of its game. Apparently the combination of opening for Coldplay and their highly successful Under the Black Light CD has changed the band from an earnest, eager to please indie outfit to a polished, scripted package who gets on stage to deliver exactly what the fans want to an adoring crowd. I saw Rilo Kiley on the More Adventurous tour at the Norva in 2005. Now that was the band to see! Jenny Lewis’ voice was warbly, but sweet, putting every ounce of her being into charming the audience. Blake Sennett’s guitar playing was stellar and they all looked like they were having the time of their life, which I’ll bet they were. The band played their hearts out and seemed genuinely thrilled at the attention from the audience. They took nothing for granted. Last night’s band was definitely much tighter and better with their instruments than they were in 2005. If Jenny hasn’t had vocal training since then, she’s put her years of touring into developing a much more assured and powerful voice. The beautiful, sweet warble is gone. And so is her charm. The lead singer is now a pure performer...all her lines rehearsed, all her parts polished to the nth degree and completely in control of herself, the band and the audience. She knows the crowd is there to worship her and she expects nothing less. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but the original Jenny Lewis was a hundred times more appealing. And, just for the record, the highlight of the evening for me was the song Dreamworld sung by the immensely talented but completely overshadowed Blake Sennett, with Lewis on backing vocals. For a few minutes, she was just another member of the band instead of the I-am-indie-goddess girl and I could drift back and remember how much more of a true indie goddess she was when she wasn’t so cocky. |
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