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 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.
My interview with Kansas City-based comedian Chloe Pelletier. She discusses a favorite joke, the impact of Huntington’s disease and her decision to not let fear control her life.
CHERUB is a Nashville-based duo. They are playing Liberty Hall October 27th. Jason Huber and Jordan Kelley recently discussed their creative process, lyrical inspiration and favorite producers.
Did you come from a musical family? Were your parents musical?
Jason: I come from a family of music lovers, but neither of my parents are musical. You should hear my dad sing along to Shaggy.
What was your earliest musical memory?
Jason: Recording mixtapes while I listened to the radio doing my homework so I could bring all the new songs to the carpool.
How did CHERUB first come together?
Jason: We all met freshman year of college.
What is your creative approach when crafting a song?
Jason: It’s really all about throwing spaghetti up against the wall and seeing what sticks.
Who are some of your favorite producers and why?
Jason: Butchvig- the way he layers guitars has always been really inspiring to me. Some of his records have been the most inspiring in my life. And Adam Baker from the Annuals because there aren’t any bands that mean enough to me to get a tattoo.
Jordan: Life inspires me lyrically. That’s why there’s so many moods on our albums. You go through so many feels throughout a day. It would be hard for me to write an album that stuck with one emotional theme, to be honest.
How did “Doses & Mimosas” come together?
Jason: The funny thing about that song is we never picked it as a single when we were releasing the album, but it’s really grown legs and taken on a life of its own.
Bleed Gold, Piss Excellence is your new album. What was the first song written for Bleed Gold, Piss Excellence?
Jason: Technically it’s “Traveling Blues.” It was written about 3 years ago for another album, but instead spent some time in the vaults and is now getting to see the light of day.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in your career?
Jason: My fear of microphone grills. Especially the grill part of microphones. They’re very hard and they’ll knock a tooth out if you get too excited. I already knocked my tooth out with a microphone once while singing karaoke in Tokyo.
What advice would you give to musicians just starting out?
Jason: Be your own biggest fan. Because if you’re not, then who else would want to be?
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:
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, 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.
McClainJohnson.com 