Tickley Feather / Nelly Kate @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar (12-15-09)

((((camera battery is m.i.a // here is a photo of puppies in till that battery is found))))

Luckly I got to the show right as Nelly Kate was starting her set. Discovered her music this summer while hanging out at a house show in Harrisonburg. Her set took place on the roof of my friends house, and her uplifting ambient loops fit so perfectly with the sitting summer sun that night, it was basically one of the most picture perfect moment of my summer. Just as I expected her set last night was no exception to her amazing concert last summer. Same loop creations being made with vocals - guitars and synths. Basically long story I highly recommend checking her out if she's ever playing in your city, one of the best acts in VA right now.

Tickley Feather was next to play. Saw her play a couple years back without any knowledge of her material but was taken back by her catchy popish songs being created by just the use of a synthesizer and vocals, their was something just so raw and imaginative about the whole thing. However the show at the tea house was set up quite differently. Tickley feather since the last time i saw her now has a backing band, something that you would think would add to the bands sound, but instead, at least at tonights show, actually made the songs sound more jumbled and disjointed which seemed to take away from the original energy of the songs. Also throughout the night their was a barrage of sound issues and band members equipment breaking down, which added a sluggish feel from song to song that killed any concept of flow during the set. However when band members got their sounds to mix together and the sound coming out of the sound system was working correctly, the music was quite enjoyable. Overall the set was kind of a confusing yet still amusing. I don't mean to come off as harsh because i really do like Tickely Feather's music, I just felt like a lot of forces out of anybodys control got in the way of the set really coming together.

Skipped out on the last set of the night (Birdlips) to go goth clubbing with my brother, the reason for me being convinced to join him on this journey are still unknwon to me, and the stories of that excursion shall be left till another time.

2009 Round Up

Another blog with another best of list
25 Albums
10 Concerts
Tell me what albums or shows I forgot // n' shit

ALBUMS


(25) Super Minerals: Clusters


(24) Pre: Hope Freaks


(23) Cold Cave: Love Comes Close


(22) Sunn 0))): Monoliths & Dimensions


(21) Atlas Sound: Logos


(20) Wolf Eyes: Always Wrong


(19) Micachu & The Shapes: Jewellery


(18) Black Pus: Black Pus 0 Ultimate Beat Off


(17) Serengeti & Polyphonic: Terradactyl


(16) Inca Ore: Silver Sea Surfer School


(15) EAR PWR: Super Animal Brothers III


(14) These Are Powers: All About Future


(13) Castanets: Texas Rose, The Thaw & The Beats


(12) Hunx And His Punx: Gay Singles


(11) Tickley Feather: Hors D'oeuvres


(10) Sore Eros: Second Chants


(9) Eric Copeland: Alien In A Garbage Dump


(8) Vivian Girls: Everything Goes Wrong


(7) Dat Politics: Mad Kit


(6) Lightning Bolt: Earthly Delights


(5) Mount Eerie: Wind's Poem


(4) HEALTH: Get Color


(3) Dan Deacon: Bromst


(2) Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavillion


(1) Black Dice: Repo


Concerts


(10) Mount Eerie /Tara Jane O'Neil / No Kids/ Stephen Steinbrink @ UVA Chapel (10-23)


(9) These Are Powers / Diamond Black Hearted Boy @ Church Of Crystal Light (03-27)


(8) Japanther @ Rumours (02-08)


(7) Vivian Girls / The Super Vacations / The Invisible Hand @ Outback Lodge (10-28)


(6) Kyle H. Mabson / Adventure / DJ Dog Dick @ Church Of Crystal Light (02-11)


(5) Nobunny / Rock N' Roll Adventure Kids @ Outback Lodge (04-16)


(4) Dan Deacon / Future Islands / Teeth Mountain @ Trinkle Hall (04-05)


(3) Videohippos / Lazy Magnet / Bird Names @ Church Of Crystal Light (01-30)


(2) Black Dice / Dat Politics / Awesome Color @ Sonar (06-13)


(1) Fucked Up @ Outback Lodge (01-23)

// FUCK PHISH \\
HERES SOME MASONNA

DECEMBER

HOLIDAY TIME CONCERTS


(12-05) Russian Circles / Young Widows / Phantom Family Halo @ Gallery 5
Honestly the only band on this bill I actually know or care about seeing at this show is Young Widows so thats who i'm gonna talk about. Mad sweet experimental post hardcore from Louisville Kentucky I do believe. Studio albums are a fierce beast and i've heard quite similar things about their live performance. A most defiantly good way to spend your saturday night.


(12-06) Bowerbirds @ The Blue Nile (((HBURG)
Just in case you missed the Bowerbirds show at The Southern you have another opportunity to see them in virginia again (Harrisonburg style). The band flows of real hypnotic and enjoyable folk music and I couldn't recommend it anymore. Just go to the show n' shit


(12-09) A Sunny Day in Glasgow / Manorlady / Rhythm Bandit @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar (CVILLE)
Sweet as fuck dream pop sounds are coming to the tea house. Don't know much about this band but from what i've skimmed it sounds real enjoyable (reminds me sort of the atlas sound project but with female vocals). Also on the bill is Manorlady, I have never actually listened to them but I hear they are a husband and wife dance duo who performance their music to a video of synchronized dancing (sounds fun right?). What im most excited about on this bill is my friend dylan (aka Rhythm Bandit). He recently played a show at my house (Costas Cave) and it was a total blast, seriously show up early and catch this guys set, he makes some real fuckin' sick dance beats


(12-11) Gary War @ The Boot (NORFOLKIN)))
Lo-Fi Noise Pop at The Boot. Considering the lack of shows that norfolk gets this should really be a no brainer of an event to attend if you live in the area. Gary War music might not be the most hard hitting of artists, but he makes real fun dance brain fucks that I have been sucking at the tit of these winter months.


(12-11 & 12-12) Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings @ The National / The Jefferson ((CVILLE AND WITCHMOND RESPECTFULLY))
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings are playing 2 different shows in VA (The National in Richmond and The Jefferson in Charlottesville). Real fun Motown revival is this groups game-plan. I hear their show is a total blast but haven't experienced one yet for myself, hopefully I actually make it to one this time around.


(12-15) Tickley Feather / Birdlips / Nelly Kate @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar ((CVILLE))
MAD PUMPED FOR THIS SHOW. Saw Tickley Feather a couple years back up in Philly when she opened for Panda Bear. Was completely taken aback by her haunting yet beautiful synth songs, and then had to defend myself for the rest of the night to an audience who wasn't as receptive to the music. Its a real treat she's coming to Charlottesville, and hopefully people are on the bandwagon now so i don't feel like a fool this time around. Also on the bill Is Nelly Kate who makes these beautiful loopy folk songs that are in some ways quite similar to Tickley Feather. Overall this is a show not to miss // trust me on this one.

Bowerbirds / Birdlips @ The Southern (11-27-09)

Bridlips started off the night in this double bill bird based show. Saw these guys a couple years ago at the teahouse either doing some supporting spot business or possibly it was a main act sort of thing. Maybe it was due to me not paying attention, or just being stubborn but I remember leaving that show was kind of mixed feelings about their set. I had felt that their music hadn't gone anywhere and wasn't out their enough for my taste at the time (a concept I now regret). Now its been a couple years and after the set last night im not exactly sure what i was being pissy about. The Birdlips have a very nice blend of acoustic guitar being added onto synths + hard hitting drum beats that is very catchy. Their not necessarily my favorite band but I enjoyed their set and now feel kind of bad for trashing on this band for the last couple years (my bad)

Bowerbirds where up next. Their sound is driven by guitar + accordion added with playful yet battered lyrics, and are yet another group in whatever you want to call this modern age folk movement. What I was most impressed about their set was the feeling of buzz-out ness that gets unleashed onto you What I mean by this is that during all thier songs you get almost hypnotized by their sound. Some of the songs don't always hit as hard as others, but its like a wave that goes up and down and you just cant help but get sucked in and watch it. Overall a really fun set from these guys and I would highly recommend checking them out if you get the chance (hint hint - their playing in Harrisonburg on December 6 @ The Blue Nile - check it out if you can)

show update

NOVEMBER 25th
SICK SHOW AT GHOSTPRINT GALLERY
STEN OVE TOFT
JON ERIKSON
CAUSTIC CASTLE
CHECK IT OUT IF YOU CAN

Shonen Knife / Jeff The Brotherhood / Hex Machine / Hot Lava @ Duckpin Bowling Alley (11-13-09)

Hot Lava were the first act of the night. I hadn't seen them play for over a year and was honestly quite hazy on what they sounded like. I ended up being quite satisfied with their set they played. Real fun rock n' roll being mushed with pop vocal sensibilities. Nothing super fancy but something that is definitely catchy and fun. On a side note it was kind of a shame the lack of people that were their for their set, especially since the show was the record realase for their new 7"

Hex Machine were next on the bill. It was hard for me to get into their music due to me still be stubborn with the set they put on opening for Melt-Banana back in 07 at the Satellite Ballroom (their set was espically long - made it so I missed most of Melt-Banana's set due to be a baller and having to have my mom pick me up from the show at a early given time). However even with this acknowledged silly bias their music really isn't that bad. It wasnt a ground breaking set, and heck it was even a set that felt a little out of place during the night, but it was a solid heavy rock set. Not sure if I can reccomend the band, not really my thing - but I don't hate them anymore.

After Hex Machine was Jeff The Brotherhood. Jeff The Brotherhood have been making a lot of buzz recently in the blogosphere, with the main title being dropped is that they are the best new band in Nashville. Their set started off a little bit akward with the singer compalining about how their werent enough people at the front of the stage (something that he would complain about throughtout the remainer of the set) however this sort of tension that came for this banter added to the feel of the set. This feeling of desperation coming from the show banter made their sound frantic and energetic. Basically what this band is doing is not earth shattering, but is still quite fun. Just solid in your face garage rock, nothing wrong with that.

Shonen Knife was up after that. Was really excited about their set but had a smidge of skepticism in the back of mind about how the set would go just due to being honestly kind of unware of their more recent matieral (i'm a big fan of the earlier more raw stuff they did in the 80's - BIG SHOCK) However their set was an absoulte blast of pure laser blasted fun. I havent in ages seen a band just so happy while playing their music, and not in some sort of ironic sense like so many bands out now today, just general posativity all around. Also in untypical Richmond fashion, the crowd at this show was quite energetic. Sure there was still a decent chuck of arms crossed during the show, but the chanting and various people in the audience talking in japanese (while odd) added to a real feel of camaraderie and positivity that suited a Shonen Knife show quite well. Overall probably the most fun i've had at a Duckpin show so far. Seriously to the folks at Community Chest (aka people who booked the show) keep the shows coming, you guys are kicking serious ass


-ERIKA + SHONEN KNIFE-