Yes You Are at KC Riverfest 2016
Here’s a clip of up-and-coming Kansas City-based indie rock band Yes You Are performing “World Without End” live at KC Riverfest on 7/4/16:
Posts Tagged ‘2016’
The Glory of Little Freshie.
July 4, 2016
Watermelon-basil snow cone at Little Freshie
It’s the end of an era for Little Freshie. The storefront closed July 1st. The Kansas City-based soda fountain and espresso bar was a fixture of the Westside neighborhood.
Little Freshie
Little Freshie was created by entrepreneur and design maven Lindsay Laricks. Lindsay’s creativity and vision comes through in every aspect of Little Freshie. Her passion, positive outlook and drive is inspiring. She is closing the storefront to take a position at a local design firm and focus on her line of all-natural syrups. Little Freshie was more than just a shop, it was a community.
Blackberry-lavender snow cone at Little Freshie
The vibes were always chill and laid back in Little Freshie. The treats were always insanely delicious. Everything was made with natural, fresh ingredients. Their snow cones were mind blowing. In my opinion, they also had the best chai tea in Kansas City. Quality indie, chill reggae or grooving afrobeat sounds would often be flowing out of the speakers. Every time I would go into the shop, I would meet interesting people. A lot of hip and funky folks were regulars at Little Freshie, but there was no attitude or pretension. It was a glorious place.
Brownie and chai tea at Little Freshie
While it might be the end of the Little Freshie storefront, Lindsay’s ability and beasting will lead her to an even brighter future.
Yonder Mountain String Band Bring the Jams to CrossroadsKC.
July 2, 2016
Yonder Mountain String Band at CrossroadsKC, 7/1/16
I’ve been a Yonder Mountain String Band fan since 2005. I saw them at Wakarusa one year and it got me hooked. They are past interview subjects, really nice and light it up live.
Yonder Mountain String Band at CrossroadsKC, 7/1/16
One of my favorite Yonder memories was the time I caught a late NOLA Mardi Gras night show with my friend, Tim. I had seen Galactic play for 8 hours the night before. Tim smuggled in a Camelbak filled with a box of Franzia. We were passing out cups of boxed wine. At one point during the second set, a dude in a green dinosaur costume ran me over.
The early CrossroadsKC Yonder shows were also insane. Long, sweaty, packed evenings of quality jams and mayhem. Yonder shows create such a fun sense of joy and community.
Yonder Mountain String Band crowd at CrossroadsKC, 7/1/16
Yonder fans are often referred to as the kinfolk. At the recent Kansas City show, a fan described his viewpoint of the Yonder fans as “a mix of bros, old ass hippies over 50 and hot girls. Everyone just wants to get down on some jams. No one judges each other. It’s not like when I go to indie shows and everyone is too cool.”
I hadn’t seen Yonder live in three years, but their July 1st show at CrossroadsKC reaffirmed what I love about them. The Colorado-based band’s two-hour set kept the crowd fired up. The interplay was tight, the tunes were on point and everyone had a great time. As the jams flowed and the breeze was rolling in, it was glorious. I took a bit of a break, but it feels great to be back! Woo!!
A Complete Vision of Silence: Notes From My First Experience with Sensory Deprivation Floating.
July 1, 2016
Floating KC (Image via http://www.floatingkc.com)
A few months ago, I had a dream about floating in a sensory deprivation tank. I told myself if I saw any indicators to do it that I had give it a shot. I felt a really strong pull to attempt floating. The morning after my dream, I opened up Facebook and the first post I read was from a friend of mine that tried a sensory deprivation tank in my neighborhood. Here are some notes about my experience with sensory deprivation at Floating KC.
The session begins with a 15 minute chair massage. The float lasts for an hour.
You are in 10 inches of water with 1,200 pounds of Epsom salts, when you first enter the tank, there are lights and soft music. However, the sounds fade to silence and total darkness. The water is 93 degrees, the same temperature as your skin.
The experience felt like the complete vision of silence. My mind kept repeating that is was the complete vision of silence.
Feeling weightless, any mental weight/stress seems to slip away.
You really meld with the water. Things just seem to blend together. It’s hard to tell where your body ends and the water begins.
Everything seems slow, but the concept of time doesn’t matter.
Floating feels like you’re in zero gravity.
I could really hear my breathing.
The feelings of bliss and euphoria were very joyful. Seriously chill vibes.
It felt like the best, deepest meditation ever.
Floating felt like a really good massage, but for your brain as well.
I moved around the tank. I would push off and my mind told me it would take 1,000 years to get to the other side of the tank.
I stretched lengthwise. My mind told me I was 1,000 feet long.
I saw little flashes of light. They were these quick, golden, flickers of light. “These are excitement bolts,” my mind stated.
My mind thought about how my eyelids were heavy. I visualized a sack of cartoon style eyeballs.
Near the end of the session, a realization come to me. Whatever happens in life, I have to be peaceful about it. No matter what happens, I have to greet it with peace.
The lights came back on, the music started playing and it jolted me back to reality.
Floating in a sensory deprivation tank was an extremely chill experience. Everyone might have different experiences, but I would recommend it.
McClain Approved: Laura Gibson “Two Kids.”
June 30, 2016
Laura Gibson in Kansas City, 6/20/16
Laura Gibson is a passionate songwriter and vocalist. She recently showcased her quality songwriting and glorious voice while opening for David Bazan in Kansas City. Gibson’s solo, acoustic set focused on songs off of Empire Builder, her excellent new album. Once you learn about Laura Gibson, you will have discovered one of the best singer-songwriters in music today. Her take on indie-folk is entrancing.
Laura Gibson in Kansas City, 6/20/16
The jaunty, weird love song “Two Kids” is a great example of Laura Gibson’s appeal. Gibson’s emotive vocals soar over the sparse accompaniment of her acoustic guitar. The song is simple, direct and beautiful.
Here’s a solo, acoustic version of “Two Kids” recorded live at RecordBar:
Myself and the lovely Laura Gibson
A Day of Indie Rock Glory at Boulevardia 2016.
June 28, 2016
Boulevardia 2016
The 2016 edition of Boulevardia showcased beer, a street fair and music in Kansas City June 17-19th. I hit up Boulevardia June 17th to soak up the indie rock vibes. The fest was held in an industrial area known as the West Bottoms. Around 8,000 people attended the fest. The music lineup helped to highlight the excellence in the KC music scene.
The Greeting Committee at Boulevardia 2016
Up-and-coming indie rockers the Greeting Committee started off the day with an energetic set. The temperature was a scorching 95 degrees when the band hit the stage. In the middle of the set, lead singer Addie Sartino fell off the stage and just kept singing. The passion in the Greeting Committee’s playing and music proves why they are one of Kansas City’s best indie rock bands.
The Greeting Committee at Boulevardia 2016
Meg Myers at Boulevardia 2016
Going into Boulevardia 2016, Meg Myers had one of the most highly anticipated sets. Myers won over the crowd with her dramatic indie-pop and strong vocals. Songs like “Lemon Eyes” and the murderous yearning of “Desire” received big reactions.
Radkey at Boulevardia 2016
Radkey hit the crowd hard with their blistering rock. The intensity and interplay from the St. Joseph, MO-based band made for one of the best sets of the day.
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness at Boulevardia 2016
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness closed out Friday with a set mixing new solo material and classics. It was nice to see him dig back into Jack’s Mannequin tracks like “Dark Blue.” McMahon’s emotive vocals and soulful piano playing were a perfect end to the evening.
Boulevardia 2016
Overall, Friday at Boulevardia 2016 was one of the best days of music I’ve seen in at least five years. Every set was quality. Even in blazing temperatures, it’s great to see people enjoying themselves. Boulevardia 2016 served up beer and excellent tunes.
Widespread Panic Fan Shows Up One Month Early for Show.
June 8, 2016
Widespread Panic logo
One of my friends recently showed up early to the Widespread Panic concert in Kansas City. One month early.
“I went down to Starlight at 3 pm to tailgate,” said the flustered fan. “I was ready to party. I didn’t realize the concert wasn’t until June,” he said. His yells for “Space Wrangler” echoing against the infinite sadness of an empty venue.
The dreams of nitrous-fueled spinning to epic jams will have to wait. We really need to get him a day planner.
Tips for a First Time Concert-Goer.
June 1, 2016
Florence + the Machine Crowd 5/24/16
You wanna get out and see some live music, huh? You want to throw down, rock out and taste the sweet sonic nectar that is a concert? I’ve gone to a least 400 shows over the years, so here are a few tips:
Expect the unexpected. Crowds, song choices, weather, and venues can all impact shows. However, just come with an open mind and lay the hammer down!
Be ready to wait. Sometimes, shows start right on time. However, be ready to wait it out. The rock can be worth the wait.
If you like the song, get down! The indie stereotype of staring at your feet and looking unimpressed is overrated. Throw down, baby!!
Earplugs, you might want them. Shows are often mixed really loudly. Earplugs can be helpful, because they don’t drown out the sound around you too much
Show up early for the opening acts. Your next favorite band could be the first act on tonight.
There will be an encore (usually). Will the band come back onstage? Don’t be fooled, they’ll be back.
Hearing a great song live is a joyous experience. It can get crowds lit up! It’s wonderful to see people come together, united by their love of music. Concerts can uplift your soul.
Get out there, rock out and have a good time! Beast it hardcore!
The Meowification of Indie Rock.
May 31, 2016
I’m a big fan of indie rock. Left-of-field sounds get me all hyped up. I love music that gets my indie sense tingling. You search for those sounds that get you musically fired up inside. As a music fan, it’s a joyous feeling you chase and crave. One of my preferred subgenres of indie rock is something I call the meowification of indie rock.
I love when artists/bands unleash these glorious soundscapes. Then, you get on the mic and meow your way to the indie rock glory land. It’s a strange sound of pure sonic bliss. Roll those beats, mew from the soul and beast it hardcore! The time is meow!
Here are a few of my favorites from what I consider to be part of the meowification of indie rock:
The Glory of Sonic Spectrum.
May 30, 2016
Sonic Spectrum (Image via http://www.965thebuzz.com)
Sonic Spectrum is my favorite radio show. The show airs on Kansas City-based radio station 96.5 The Buzz. Sonic Spectrum is a freeform radio show that focuses on new and classic indie rock.
Host Robert Moore’s passion for music is inspiring. You can’t fake great taste and Moore’s taste is exceptional. I think he is so hip, he probably can’t even see over his pelvis. He is flyer than a pelican. Moore has am ear for quality music. It’s almost like he gets on air and goes, “This track is so new, I time-traveled into the future to get it. It hasn’t even technically been created yet.” Some of his selections are trippy and excellent, “This track was recorded on a Norwegian ice flow with wood blocks.” It makes you want to learn more about great music you’ve never heard of before. I’ll often hear a track he spins and go, “I don’t know what the heck that was, but I love it and need more of it in my life!”
Radio shows like Sonic Spectrum, curated by someone with great taste, can help make your world a more musically joyous place. For an example of some of the tunes played on Sonic Spectrum, check out this playlist created by fan Patrick Morrissey. Sonic Spectrum airs Saturday nights from 8-10pm CST on 96.5 The Buzz in Kansas City and can streamed live online at http://www.965thebuzz.com/
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