Wind Ensemble Emotes and Delivers

Tonight's Crane Wind Ensemble concert was nothing short of extraordinary. Although a classically trained clarinetist, I've never found refuge in art music like I have in rock and roll. Tonight has blown that norm out of the water.

The highlight of the night was easily Roshanne Etezady's "Anahita," an explosive, programmatic, three-movement piece. It encapsulated her reactions to a mural that has since been destroyed, but used to adorn the ceiling of a prominent Albany building. Based on mythology, it features vivid images of the "terrifyingly beautiful" goddess Anahita and the horses, or "Night Mares," as they are so aptly titled. The piece was frantic at times, simply explosive at others. The amount of energy in the piece was phenomenal, and it was absolutely humbling to have the composer present. The final movement was so very delicate and serene. It featured four cornet players scattered through Hosmer Hall, representing the last hearkening of angels.

Conductor Brian Doyle was certainly on his toes, especially for his first concert since his emergency room trip. The amount of passion and effort he puts into the ensembles he works with is nothing short of admirable. It is refreshing to see a conductor and teacher who cares so much about the quality of the group's performance as a whole as well as the needs of his students.

The other new piece, "Interior," by Kristin Kuster (also present at the performance), was less accessible as far as expressionist art music of the 21st century is concerned, but when paired with the composer's notes, could begin to paint pictures in one's mind, of the very unique things that happen within the walled confines of where we live and work. The piece tackled human interaction and emotion very well.

The ensemble as a whole had a way of blending--passing solos from one woodwind to another--that is hard to come by. The horn section ripped out some heart wrenching chords. The two tuba players and string bass held the entire ensemble up on their shoulders. The percussion section, as always, held the group together with its intensity and determination.

Everything about tonight's performance--the refreshing 21st century pieces blended with more traditional literature, the intensity and extreme focus of the performers, the conductor's passion, and how it all came together--absolutely blew me away. Bravo.

In case you missed the joy

Or you want to watch it again.

Bruce Springsteen and Friends performing "Rosalita"

My First Inferno Show

I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get to writing about seeing The World/Inferno Friendship Society. They played at Fastlane (next door to Asbury Lanes) in Asbury Park, NJ on March 25. Since then, I’ve just been letting it sink it. Seeing this band live was a long time coming, but absolutely worth it.

Pre-show consisted of waiting outside with a ton of kids and I just stood and absorbed. People from all walks of life: self proclaimed “punks” with piercings and back patches, men in full suits with ladies in dresses, kids wrapped two to a sweatshirt to battle the wicked shore winds, hats and hairstyles.

The venue itself was perfect for this show. It was big. All of the Infernites could mill about and socialize at the back half of the room. Everyone knew each other. I had no idea that the scene was this close-knit until I got to this show. I spent most of the time that the opening bands played meeting people and socializing with people who I’d just met. We went up front to hear The Ergs! The Ergs! are an incredibly tight punk rock trio out of New Brunswick, NJ. The last time I heard them was two summers ago, so it was overdue. The Ratchets and Hunchback also played. Hunchback had an interesting stage show, and I situated myself for Inferno. After a lot of um…drama…played out, the full band finally came out.

From the first bass drum kicks of “Tattoos Fade” I was transported. The band was absolutely enthralling. They have enough stage presence to knock all of Broadway off its feet. Jack sang right to the crowd. The crowd knew every single word. It was amazing to watch Jack, Sandra (their absolutely stunning bassist) and the saxophone section from the very front. It was interesting to see Franz’s intensity playing the accordion and keys; he was so into the show, never missed a beat (does he ever?) and had a whole new level of electricity to him than when I saw him with The Steady (not to downplay what a terrific performance that was as well). “Tattoos” is played at every show, but it felt special to know that it was my first time hearing it live. Semra, Jack, and the drummer (who’s the drummer now?) all playing made it triply intense. The set was a great mix of songs from Just the Best Party (my first Inferno album), Red-Eyed Soul (brilliant), and the Peter Lorre song cycle. I didn’t know the Lorre songs at all and didn’t hear the demos and bootlegs until after the show. “Fiend in Wein” was definitely phenomenal to hear live. “Heart Attack Waltz” was incredible as well. I wish I’d had the guts to dance with someone…well, there’s always next time. “Only Anarchists are Pretty” was a terrific encore. And if there's any song I love that they didn't play that night (mostly "Your Younger Man"), I rest assured in the fact that I'll hear it sooner or later.

After the show my eyes must have been bugging out of my head. The band blew me away. It was great to see all of the ladies and gents of Inferno come out and mingle with the fans. I finally got to meet Franz formally, and we had a chat about his groups, and some upcoming shows, as well as his Moondog piece that has clarinet (that I want to play sometime). Rich and I jetted after that, as he had classes the next day. I did hear that a bunch of kids took a dip in the ocean afterwards.

Possibly the best thing to come out of all of this was the great people I met, and the warm welcome I received from the scene. In hanging out around the Inferno board for the past week or so, it’s been nice to interact with these people who I’ll hopefully be seeing again soon. The Inferno bug did bite for a few days when I lost sleep over researching the Bridgewater Astral League and The Master and Margarita. Thankfully that died down a little, but here’s to more fun in the future.

The World/Inferno Friendship Society's latest full length, Red-Eyed Soul on Chunkasaah Records is available at a record store near you. Don't be a bum, go pick it up and support the cause.

World Inferno's Official Website
Inferno Myspace
Pictures taken by Brainy

Lost in Fog and Love and Faithless Fear

Last night, The Hold Steady burned a hole in the stage with their ROCK at Syracuse University. From the opening ("Stuck Between Stations") to the phenomenal encore ("Citrus," "Killer Parties"), the entire room was electrified. Craig Finn-sporting a new beard-twitched, spazzed, spit, shouted, and testified his lyrics to the sold out room. Franz Nicolay, my true hero, dressed in a vintage tux and combat boots, had just as much character, shouting and dancing around-doing jumping jacks, even-while playing everything note and cue without missing a beat. The band was extremely personable, making eye contact with all of us often and going as far as blowing kisses (at Meredith) and throwing dollar bills ("I don't really need these..."). There's chemistry between the Hold Steady and their audience that is unmatchable. Despite the tomfoolery of the security staff before and after the show, it was a truly explosive experience from beginning to end.

"Rock and Roll means well, but it can’t help tellin’ young boys lies." Craig Finn's lyrics don't do anything but capture this vivid, exciting, and sometimes crushing teenage/twentysomething life. Sounds pretty true to me.

On Wednesday, the Hold Steady released the music video for their next single, "Stuck Between Stations." They also announced the limited release of a live, acoustic EP on April 17th on Vagrant Records. The recording is from an in-store appearance at L.A.'s Fingerprints record store. The EP will only be carried by independent distributors listed here. I've embedded the new video below. Enjoy!

STUCK BETWEEN STATIONS - The Hold Steady

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we had some massive nights...

I vividly remember the first time I heard Craig Finn wail out a line off of The Hold Steady's second album, Separation Sunday. I was in the back seat of a rental car, driving through the Arizona wilderness right after sunset with no cell phone service for miles. I'd had enough with family vacations--I don't know how I ended up there -- but this NPR feature was my first connection with the outside world. The Hold Steady are the first new escape I've had in years.

The release of Boys and Girls in America was something I've been anticipating, but I never would have guessed that it would get so much attention. The amount of buzz that's been surrounding this album -- since weeks before its release -- has been wild. As a follow up to the absolutely phenomenal Separation Sunday, this album doesn't disappoint. The new depth in the music is what serves as the surprise on an album from a band that could be mistaken for a Wednesday-night regular at some seedy dive.

The title comes straight out of Kerouac. Mineapolis native Finn was out to tackle the entire country this time around, and encapsulated it with piss, vinegar, and eloquence. The hang-outs may be different, but the parties and the lost loves are always the same. There are strong roots in Springsteen and arena rock, and appropriately so. I think this sound is something that the band's fans approve of. The lyrics, as in the two preceeding albums, are something you have to hear to believe. The massive nights are vivid as hell when you spin this album. For once, I can say I've been there-- Finn knows exactly what he's talking about.

I didn't set out to write this article about The Hold Steady, but their recent celebrity (including a whopping 9.4 on Pitchfork's unmerciful review scale) seemed like a good segue into the recognition of their unrelenting keyboard player. On to the feature.

Franz Nicolay just might be the hardest working man in music. The keyboardist, accordianist, and composer has been recieving so much (yet so little) exposure. His composition/chamber music collective, Anti-Social Music, started as a small project of friends who liked to make music and turned into something much more--a known name with original compositions performed live and released on CD. Nicolay's performance with the circus punk outfit The World/Inferno Friendship Society can't be described as anything less than frantic. Just listen to the opening notes of "Tattoos Fade;" Franz's fingers strike the keyboard's keys faster than your mind can even register--the next thing you know, he's moved on to his accordian.....and without missing a beat--back to the keyboard. He put in time with the gypsy punk band Guignol and he's recorded for countless others such as hardcore favorites Leftover Crack. With The Hold Steady touring extensively around the nation that it's come to love, it seems that Nicolay isn't planning on taking a break any time soon. Keep your eye on this mysterious moustachioed man. I think that we should be expecting (more) great things from him.

The Hold Steady
Franz Nicolay
Anti-Social Music
World/Inferno Friendship Society

The Day the Music Died? Tower Records to be Liquidated

The LA-based Tower Records chain record store was sold at auction to the Great American Group and locations will begin clearance immediately. Of 89 stores located in 20 states, at least 24 will close. It was quite evident that these changes were to take place immediately when I pulled into the parking lot of the Ramsey, NJ location to be bombarded by "Going Out of Business" signs. The mecca of my high school music connoisseur-ing is closing for good. We mourned by stocking up on 10% off DVDs and CDs. A full-length review of the Hold Steady's "Boys and Girls in America" will follow...

I'd like to amend this post by telling you all what we actually got!
I got The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America, along with the films Taxi Driver, Midnight Cowboy, and Thank You For Smoking.
My stepdad got Barry White's Greatest Hits, Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti and Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy.

AND, My sources tell me that I beat Andrew Lowden to this, who always beats Stereogum to everything. Andrew reported that the Nanuet, NY location is also slated to close by December.

The Cherubs

A good place to resume this blog would be to reveal a new favorite band every once in a while that I get around to updating. So, of course, keeping with my style, here's a pretty cool local band (Potsdam, NY local) that you will all enjoy. They are the Cherubs, and they come from up above. And if you don't dance to their music, believe me, they'll be two sad boys. Here's the deal. Eric gets out his laptop and mixes crazy beats and synth shenanigans with Fruity Loops. He and Nick lay down guitar and bass (respectively) over it, and Eric lays down the vox. The product is incomparable dance powerpop house music, basically. There really aren't even words to contain their sound. Check them out, and DANCE.

The Cherubs

That all being said, imagine this. Eric leading the entire small, crowded, smoky room in a group chant. Just long, peaceful tones with a beat in the background. The beat stops, and the next song starts--one that everyone knows--so everyone claps along in just the right rhythms. The room is engulfed in smoke and chatter, but all eyes are up front. Nick stands statue-still rocking out amazing basslines, while Eric moves back and forth, sort of like that chick from No Fi Soul Rebellion. But, the more he gets into it, the more he rocks out, dancing around the stage. The set goes on, a few guys and girls in the back (who the band probably couldn't even see) were dancing crazy. The band was surrounded by friends. Everyone knew the beats, the words, the changes. Eric taught the crowd an entire song (even though enough people already knew it from recording it with him), everyone shouted the gang vox right with him. The room was one crazy, jumping, mass of humanity that just wanted more beats. It was such an intimate show, everyone left with a great vibe. Right on.

Daytrotter and Harry & the Potters

Daytrotter
Daytrotter: The Ultimate Way to Meet Your New Favorite Band

Daytrotter is one blog that knows how to deliver on its promises. With a new band featured every week, you can rest assured that your ears will stay amused. Weekly features consist of in-depth, opinionated writing about the band as well as interviews, photographs, and 4 live-in-studio tracks available for free download. That's a pretty big bang for the buck...that you never even have to drop.


Harry & the Potters; Daytrotter Sessions

At the end of May, Daytrotter offered up four tracks by the indie rock duo, Harry & the Potters. I'll be completely honest with you. This music won't mean a whole lot if you didn't get the endless references to the multi-million dollar grossing Harry Potter franchise. Then again, the phrase "tonsil hockey" is amusing in any context. The songs are definately listenable. The music is fairly minimal, but they make due with a synth and other assorted instruments. The singer initially sounds like Conor Oberst, but these are no mentally imbalanced pseudo love ballads. Well, they're pretty mentally imbalanced, and...I suppose, since they follow the story...they're ballads. BUT THEY ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! Actually, since "The Human Horsepipe" is from Harry's POV, I'd say he's about 800x more conflicted and imbalanced than Conor. Just to clear that up. So, yes, Harry & the Potters sing in the first person about fictional characters who are more effed up than Conor Oberst could ever be. Bottom line: download it.

Best lyric: "Maybe you shouldn't have brought up Cedric Diggory because I'd rather not talk about your dead ex-boyfriend over coffee."

official Harry and the Potters website.