Archive for the ‘music’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

My Thoughts on G-Easy and Success.

January 14, 2016
Geasy1

G-Easy at the Midland, 1/12/16

Walking up to the massive crowd lined up for the G-Easy show on Tuesday night, my mind was blown. He had sold out the 3,000 capacity Midland Theater, in Kansas City, months in advance. The crowd was mostly young white kids, between the ages of 13 and 19. It was like a teen riot outside the Midland.

I went to college with G-Easy, at Loyola University New Orleans. His fashion sense was always over the top and he had a vision for himself even back then. I hadn’t seen G-Easy live in at least eight years. The Oakland-based rapper has improved greatly since his NOLA days.

It seems like the mainstream has really caught up to G-Easy. His rapping was strong and on-point all night and the beats were fresh and lush. Backed by a drummer and a DJ, he rapped with confidence and ability throughout his show. His stage set up had a very NOLA vibe. The Saint bar scene was a nice shout out to the CBD dive bar. It was like some amped up version of NOLA run through the G-Easy filter.

Geasy2

G-Easy at the Midland, 1/12/16

Over the years, G-Easy has stayed focused on his vision of grinding hard and moving towards success. His party-centric music seems true to who he is as a person. His music feels like a natural extension of himself and he’s not trying to be a poser. Maybe that’s why he does so well with younger rap fans. He held the crowd’s attention during his 1 hour and 40 minute set. As local music critic Bill Brownlee put it in his review of the show, “The immediately accessible music is ideal for party-minded young adults who have outgrown the output of boy bands but aren’t yet prepared to embrace more challenging sounds.”

His style of rap might not be for everyone, but it’s great to see someone be successful and do what they love. You can hate all you want, but no one can argue with a sold out tour. Tech N9ne even joined him onstage in KC. That is some serious business. G-Easy is doing something right and knows his market. It’s amazing  to see him go from the basement of the student center at Loyola to selling out a venue that holds 3,000 people in Kansas City. Never give up on your dreams and keep pushing forward. G-Easy knew that a long time ago.

Geasycrowd

G-Easy crowd at the Midland, 1/12/16

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Kansas City, music, New Orleans, NOLA, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

An Uncomfortable Question for White Hip Hop Fans.

January 14, 2016
Ferg

A$AP Ferg (Image via RapDirect.com)

A local music journalist talked to me after A$AP Ferg’s opening set for G-Easy in Kansas City Tuesday night. “You went to school in New Orleans, I’m sure you have an opinion on this, ” he began. “The crowd here is 99 percent white. This might be an uncomfortable question, but how does it make you feel to hear 3,000 white kids shouting back the n-word to a black rapper when it’s in his lyrics?” “Not good,” I responded meekly.

Ferg’s set hit the crowd hard and the trap beats had them going wild. The sold out audience on this night was mostly young white kids, between the ages of 13 and 19.  The nasty, excellent track “Shabba” completely smashed 3,000 people at the Midland. They loved every raunchy second and rapped along with each line.

FergCrowd

A$AP Ferg Crowd, at the Midland, 1/12/16

I hope the kids learn someday. As a fan, you have to make the conscious choice. The question might be rough, but the answer is simple. Even in the sometimes trashy world of hip hop, as a fan and audience member, it is all about respect.

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in culture, music | Leave a Comment »

Feel Like Funkin’ It Up: The Glory of the Rebirth Brass Band.

January 6, 2016
30LGrebirth

Rebirth Brass Band, at the Maple Leaf (Image via http://www.rebirthbrassband.com)

The Rebirth Brass Band is a NOLA institution. They combine jazz, R&B, rap and funk into their own distinctive sound. I have seen Rebirth Brass Band 80 times. Rebirth took home a Grammy in 2012 for Best Regional Roots Music Album.

Rebirth are known for their sweaty Tuesday night gigs at the Maple Leaf Bar. They travel all over the world, spreading that NOLA sound.  They come back, every week, to play in the legendary music venue/dive the Maple Leaf. Rebirth have played their Leaf gig for over 25 years. Catching a Rebirth Brass Band at the Maple Leaf is like seeing a team win with home field advantage. They play with intensity, fire and passion. The shows are always packed to the maximum, everyone dancing and getting down for over two hours.

Every show Rebirth Brass Band plays is different, you never know what tunes they are going to bust out. They will often start their set with a gospel number, to get things warmed up. The classic songs will be played, but you will also get the epic jams.

Rebirth is fueled by Crown and Coke and keep the partying crowd fired up. The crowd is a diverse mix of funky locals and college kids. Everyone is united by the Rebirth Brass Band’s joyous sound. The looser the band (and crowd) gets, the funkier they play. Rebirth rarely uses a set list and leader Tuba Phil just calls out songs as they go. They have never played the same set twice. They will roll songs into each other for 30 minute jams.

Rebirth represents NOLA by throwing down hard at every show. They bring the party to the people. Even after all of these years, Rebirth still feel like funkin’ it up every week.

Tags:, ,
Posted in music, New Orleans, NOLA | Leave a Comment »

Yes and No: NOLA in a Phrase.

January 5, 2016
GregoryDavis

Gregory Davis (Image from JazzTimes.com)

My freshman year at Loyola University New Orleans, I took an introductory class to music industry studies. The course was taught by Gregory Davis, trumpet player for the legendary Dirty Dozen Brass Band. In addition to learning about the music industry, Mr. Davis inadvertently taught me a lot about the NOLA mindset.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band skillfully blended R&B and funk into the traditional brass band sound. They pushed the sound forward since their beginnings in 1977. The modern NOLA brass band scene would not exist today if it were not for the innovative sound of the DDBB. They have also toured and collaborated with a ton of artists over the years, from Widespread Panic to the Black Crowes to Norah Jones.

Davis would often pose questions to the class. “What’s a publicist?” he would ask. “A person that promotes an artist,” someone would respond. Davis would answer in his gravelly tone, “Well, yes and no. Kinda sorta…” There was no concrete answer, there is always more to the story. “Yes and no” and “kinda sorta” were his most uttered catchphrases.

Davis would discuss the challenges of touring the world and being on the road. “Some people would say no to drugs, but some of the bands we toured with would say yes to drugs,” he told us once. “The audience would sometimes bring drugs and throw them onstage for the bands,” he stated warily.

NOLA is a city of contradictions, often swirling together, existing in a strange harmony. It is home of the drive-thru daiquiri shop, home of the high school bar. When you leave a bar, you can grab a rum and Coke to go. New Orleans is land of no last call, bars close when they want. “Are you drunk?” “Kinda sorta…” “Is this building up to code?” “Kinda sorta..Napoleonic code.” “Is the streetcar on time?” “Yes and no…Mostly no.”

There is no place like NOLA. NOLA embraces the contradictions that just wouldn’t work anywhere else. It will forever be funky and there is no “yes and no” or “kinda sorta” about that.

 

Tags:,
Posted in music, New Orleans, NOLA | Leave a Comment »

Finding Love in Today’s Indie Rock Era.

January 2, 2016
image

The Missed Connections Board at the 2015 Pitchfork Music Festival.

The 2015 Pitchfork Music Festival had a Missed Connections board. Authetic indie rock love is hard to find in today’s modern age.

“I saw you standing there, looking at your feet, with your massive sunglasses on. I could feel your seething, ironic hate radiating. You remained stoic and pretended to be unimpressed during the set that was actually really good. You are so hip, you can barely see over your pelvis. You walk slanted and enchanted through life. I saw you reading a book while standing on the only chair in Union Park. In a sea of 10,000 people, while waiting for Ariel Pink to come on, you could interact with you fellow humans. No, never mind. What a great time to catch up on your reading. Do you have every Neutral Milk Hotel bootleg? Would you like more? Was your cousin in Youth Lagoon? Please text me back, using only emojis to convey your deepest feelings.”

Tags:
Posted in culture, hip, music | 1 Comment »

The Wilco Double Up.

December 30, 2015
WilcoChicago

Wilco at Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 (July 17, 2015)

Wilco proved (yet again) this year why they are one of the best live bands ever. I was able to catch two Wilco shows in one week this year. It was my attempt at the Wilco Double Up. I was was also finally able to catch the famed Chicago band in a hometown show, which was nice to cross off of my concert goals list.

One of the criticisms I’ve heard thrown at Wilco over the years is that some people label it as “dad rock.” You wish your dad was Nels Cline. When he uncorks solos like this on “Impossible Germany,” it will melt your face off of your face.

Like many great live bands, I respect that Wilco never play the same set/show twice. They will play some tracks you love, some songs you would never expect and some curve balls. The quality of Jeff Tweedy’s songwriting is best showcased at a Wilco gig, because you get so many songs from different eras of the band. Sometimes, they remind you how great some deeper cuts can be. They got really expansive on “One Wing” and covered the Uncle Tupelo song “New Madrid” at the Kansas City show. The Crossroads KC show also served as a great use of dynamics. The majority of the show was rocked out, fully electric. However, the encore was acoustic. This was a nice change in pace and made for a very well-rounded show.

WilcoKC2

Wilco at Crossroads KC (July 15, 2015)

After over 20 years, it would be easy for a band to rest on their laurels and phone it in. This is not the case with Wilco. Between the KC gig on Wednesday and the Pitchfork Music Festival set in Chicago on Friday, Wilco dropped their first album in four years Star Wars.

At the Pitchfork set, Wilco played the entire new album, released the day before, live for the first time. Playing a whole new album live is risky, but Wilco is constantly pushing forward and being innovative. The new songs have a looser, carefree quality. The sprawl of some of the new songs reminded me of Sonic Youth. The crowd seemed confused at first, but warmed up at the songs wafted through the Chicago breeze. They followed up Star Wars with a bunch of classics. Watching people freak out to “Handshake Drugs” in the summer sun can be a glorious thing.

Wilco had a big 2015. They showed why they are still one of the best live bands touring today by never settling, consistently busting out setlists that clear 25 songs, and always being willing to surprise. The shows are always solid and the sense of something unexpected happening can create so much joy. Even after over 20 years, it will be fun to see what the future holds for Wilco.

 

 

Tags:, , ,
Posted in music, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Breakout Artist of 2015: Boyfriend.

December 29, 2015
Boyfriend

Boyfriend (Image via Huffingtonpost.com)

I had the great honor of DJing a set, opening up for legendary New Orleans-based bounce rapper Big Freedia this year. Freedia threw down hard in Kansas City and showcased why she is the undisputed Queen Diva of New Orleans Bounce. Another NOLA-based artist on the bill delivered one of the most intense performances I saw all year: Boyfriend.

I met Boyfriend before the show. She gave me a rundown on the current NOLA scene. She is so nice, laid back, chill and real. Her passion for NOLA comes from a real place. Offstage, she had a hip look. Boyfriend looked like a trippy barista or a foxy librarian. “She is so sweet, ” I thought to myself.

Then she got on the mic. Over gritty, trash can beats, she spit some of the nastiest rhymes I’ve ever heard anyone unleash. She describes her style as “cabaret rap.” Boyfriend got the crowd of over 300 people fired up. “Men cheating on me, men cheating on me, HELL NO!” she viciously exclaimed as she prowled the stage. Her live show was a complete 180 from her chill offstage vibe. At one point, her curls were bobbing all over the stage as she stripped down to her bra and was twerking on a chaise lounge. Her live show made me blush. Good thing I went on first.

Boyfriend made Peaches seem like your grandmother. She made 2 Live Crew look like Mother Teresa. In a time of half-baked ideas, Boyfriend is fully formed. She is as nasty as she wants to be and he world is better for it.

Tags:, ,
Posted in hip, music, New Orleans, NOLA | Leave a Comment »

The Sweatiest Show I Saw in 2015: Ex Hex at the Empty Bottle.

December 27, 2015
ExHex

Ex Hex at the Empty Bottle

Deep in the Chicago night, Ex Hex put on the sweatiest show I caught in 2015. The Washington D.C.-based band’s debut album, Rips, was one of my favorite releases of the past few years. Live, the songs had even more raw grit and punch.

The Empty Bottle, tucked in the Ukrainian Village section of Chicago, was packed all night. The gig was an after show for the Pitchfork Music Festival 2015. It is a really intimate venue and a perfect fit for Ex Hex’s hard-edged indie jams.

The band hit the stage at midnight. The interplay between guitarist Mary Timony, bassist Betsy Wright, and drummer Laura Harris, lit up the sold out crowd. It was a brash, gutsy performance and they brought the energy throughout their hour set. They dug deep into their songs and smashed the crowd. It was a sticky set and one of the best I saw all year. Hot, sweaty, glorious indie rock mayhem.

Here’s fan-shot footage of some of Ex Hex’s Empty Bottle set:

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in music | Leave a Comment »

What Do I Look for in a Quality Live Show?

December 20, 2015

Concerts

I have attended and covered over 400 concerts over the years. t got me thinking: What do I look for in a quality live show? You can listen to the audio piece here.

Tags:, , ,
Posted in music | Leave a Comment »

My Favorite Music and Concerts of 2015.

December 15, 2015
Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk at the Midland Theatre, in Kansas City.

With 2015 wrapping up, it’s time to look back on some of my favorite music and gigs of the year.

Canadian noise rockers Viet Cong put out my favorite album of the year. The sprawling, weird soundscapes of their self-titled debut make for quality extended listening. Serious shoegaze vibes that hit hard.

I also really loved the Chvrches album Every Open Eye. Their sound has really grown from their debut record. A track like “Keep You On My Side” peaks really well and brings the energy. The vocals are on-point (as always), but the beats hit harder and the songs are more epic.

Gigs:

German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk put on a show for the ages at the Midland this year. Kraftwerk perfected the idea of the “man machine” and raved the way for nearly every form of modern electronic music. It was my first 3D sit down rave. Visually, the show was stunning and the music wasn’t just a nostalgia trip. For something so robotic, it felt so lively, fresh and new. The show also marked Kraftwerk’s first Kansas City show in 45 years.

Stevie Wonder’s epic show at the Sprint Center was also one of the best of the year. He played for over three hours. The setlist included his classic album Songs in the Key of Life. He approaches music from a totally different angle. The hits were there, the jams were there, something for everyone. Janelle Monae sat in with Stevie in KC, which made the gig even better. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime show.

Favorite tracks:

The demo version of “Realiti” by Grimes is my favorite song of the year. Her whole sound really comes together on this track. An updated version of the song ended up on Art Angels, but the demo version has more rawness and punch.

I really dug the house vibes of Caribou’s “Can’t Do Without You.” I was lucky enough to catch him live at Pitchfork Fest in Chicago this year. It’s a glorious feeling hearing a song like this wash over a festival crowd.

New Orleans-based rapper Curren$y showed why he is one of the best rappers out there today with “Speed.” His vibe is singular and different. The production on this record is one of the best I’ve heard all year. This beat is so fresh!

The laid back, chill vibes of Martin Courtney’s “Airport Bar” made it one of my favorite tracks of 2015. The lead singer of Real Estate displayed a subtle shift in tone on his debut solo album. Courtney knows how to craft a really quality song.

What were your favorite music moments of 2015?

Tags:, , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in music, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »