The Naked and Famous at the Midland, 11/4/16
The Naked and Famous recently smashed Kansas City with an energetic, two-hour set of indie-pop at the Midland. Check out footage I shot of the new single “Higher” and the classic “Punching in a Dream.”
Archive for the ‘music’ Category
KITTEN “Cut It Out” and “Japanese Eyes” Live at the RecordBar
November 24, 2016
KITTEN at the RecordBar, 11/17/16
KITTEN recently performed a rocking set to a packed RecordBar. Lead vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Chloe Chaidez’s energy and passion for music and performing live is inspiring. I often criticize indie bands for not moving around onstage, KITTEN doesn’t have this issue. They bring the energy live. Check out these blistering live versions of “Cut It Out” and “Japanese Eyes” I recorded at RecordBar.
K.Flay “Blood in the Cut” Live at the Tank Room
November 24, 2016
Sylvan Esso Light Up “Radio” and “Coffee” Live at Fed Up Fest 2016
November 17, 2016
Sylvan Esso at Fed Up Fest, 10/15/16
Sylvan Esso lit up a recent performance at Fed Up Fest at CrossroadsKC at Grinders. The glorious vocals and thumping beats blended together perfectly. Sylvan Esso closed their set with their latest single, the grooving “Radio.” Check out this live version of “Radio” I shot in KC last month:
They also played the classic tune “Coffee”:
The Happy Clappy Glory of Grouplove
November 16, 2016
Grouplove at the KC Live Block, 10/21/16
Grouplove recently smashed an energetic two-hour set at the KC Live Block. I consider the California-based band to be the “Kings of Happy Clappy” indie rock. They have a special relationship with KC and always bring the heat live. Grouplove’s latest album, Big Mess, is one of my favorite albums of the year. The songs are more intricate and feature more dynamics and texture than some of their earlier material. Live, the new songs meshed well with the older tunes. Check out live footage I shot of the new track “Good Morning” and the classic “Tongue Tied” below:
Bishop Briggs “River” Live at the Midland
November 16, 2016
Bishop Briggs at the Midland, 10/14/16
Bishop Briggs released one of the biggest songs of 2016 with “River.” Live, Bishop really brings the energy and her vocals are passionate. Check out this soulful version of “River” I shot during her recent set at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland.
Interview: GGOOLLDD
November 16, 2016
GGOOLLDD live at the RecordBar, 11/11/16
I recently did a quick live interview with two members of the up-and-coming indie group GGOOLLDD. The Wisconsin-based band played Sound Machine, an event at the RecordBar curated by Kansas City label The Record Machine.
GGOOLLD at the RecordBar, 11/11/16
Check out my interview and the video for “Boyz” below:
McClain Approved: Witch Jail.
October 8, 2016
Witch Jail at Outer Reaches 2016.
Kansas City-based band Witch Jail unleashed their hard-hitting garage rock to Outer Reaches 2016. The left-of-center music festival was held at the RecordBar, in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 30th and October 1st, 2016. Witch Jail lead singer Guy Smiley looks like Roy Orbison and fat Elvis had a sweaty, trippy baby. Their short set was raucous, abrasive and excellent. Dive into the vibes of Witch Jail recorded live at Outer Reaches 2016:
McClain Approved: Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type “White Girls.”
August 31, 2016
Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type Live at RecordBar 7/29/16
Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type is a Kansas City-based indie rock band. Songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Rachel Mallin’s lyrics are smart and biting. The band recently released their new EP Degenerate Matters. Live and on record, they bring the energy.
Rachel Mallin and The Wild Type’s “White Girls” is my favorite song of the year so far. The track is getting radio play from Kansas City to Sweden. Lyrically, Mallin brings the snark and lays the smackdown on stereotypical white girls, “There’s a special place in hell for girls like you/Go out on the weekends/Prey upon weak men that haven’t got a girl to come home to.” This heat is counterbalanced by an upbeat, indie surf rock vibe. It’s the kind of song Best Coast would love to write. It’s always great when sharp lyrics and an energetic groove combine to form a quality song. “White Girls” is one of the year’s best.
“If you don’t like my music, fuck you! Eat shit and die!” -Ted Nugent.
August 23, 2016
Ted Nugent at CrossroadsKC at Grinders, 8/12/16.
“If you don’t like my music, fuck you! Eat shit and die!” –Ted Nugent, addressing the crowd at his recent concert at CrossroadsKC at Grinders.
At least Uncle Ted speaks his mind. You never hear indie bands say, “We’re Death Cab for Cutie. Go screw yourself!” It was a nice change of pace from the humility bands often display when bantering with the crowd.
He might have abhorrent political views and spout inflammatory rhetoric, but Ted Is one hell of a musician. Ted Nugent is 68. It was 90 degrees out and he smashed through a blazing hour and 30 minute set. It was an impressive performance for sure. Love him or hate him, Ted Nugent is true to himself and great at what he does.
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