September 2018 — Part 2
Gneiss pic by Tim Lewis
I had a great time seeing music last Wednesday at Red Square and Nectar’s. I had a nice relaxing day off and had asked my brother Ken if he wanted to go out and see Clever Girls. He was up for it, then another show popped up.
I drove to Shelburne and picked him up a little after 6 and we were downtown just before 7. We grabbed some dinner then headed over to Red Square. gneiss were on stage jamming and we got a table next to the band. They rocked the song to a nice close while singing I want to be completely free. They played a sweet Johnny Meli song called Mountain High then closed with a song about northern lights. We hung out for a bit and learned that Damian Roy (?) was sitting in on drums since Jacob Blodgett was at the hospital with his wife, who was about to deliver their first child. Gneiss opened the second set with a song about walking in the light that fell into a song about going round and round and never staying the same. Jesse Cowan had lots of cool runs up and down the bass, while still driving the rhythm. Damien was nicely locked in. Johnny sang a lot of the songs and fired off many cool lead breaks. Naomi Galimidi‘s keys helped the music soar while she added some backing vocals and sang a song or two. They said to keep on using me until you’ve used me up, then got a little bluesy for a song about too much, but it’s never enough. They debuted a song that was written by Naomi’s 7 year old that showed a lot of promise then rocked out a staggering version of Lovely Day. They sang about making me feel brand new when I return to you and dropped it into a song about a lonely lonesome highway. Their jam rock sound was delightful, but I put a 9:15 deadline on so we could make it to the other show. They put on their shades for a cool song, then we headed out.
Sleeping In pic by Tim Lewis
We headed over to Nectar’s and walked in to a huge loud indie rock sound. sleeping in had a nice heavy flow that made me smile. They sang a song called Pine and played a new one called No Sentiment. I think the next two were new and ended their set. I’ve got to check them out again sometime soon.
Kal Marks pic by Tim Lewis
Up next, Kal Marks unloaded a staggering rock show on us. The bass played stood to the side and locked in with the drummer, often sounding like a charging freight train. The singer/guitar player thrashed about and threw himself at his guitar and vocals. I was happily stunned from the first moment. They sang about how there’s no place for me and when I look down. One song had a hint of The Who, one had some Church like psychedelia. They played a song about being too young to die that had a cool dramatic pause then hit us hard with a couple more to end the set. They were amazing and are a band you should see anytime you get a chance.
Kal Marks pic by Tim Lewis
After a brief set break, Clever Girls took the stage and rocked out a blues jam that fell into Catch and Release. Diane Jean broke a string and the guitarist for Sleeping In lent her his guitar for the rest of the night. It’s possible that they played Dumb Smile in drop D, but either way, it sounded cool. Loose Tooth rocked hard then they eased up a little for the new one about tilting your head back. They played the new swampy song called Woman and rocked it hard. Hannah Wants To See You soared and they closed with a blistering version of heavy.
We headed out fairly quickly then I drove Ken back to Shelburne, then I drove back home. It was a lovely night.
Milton Busker and the Grim work at Radio Bean and The Violins Of Baltimore and Swale at Light Club Lamp Shop September 21, 2018
Milton Busker and the Grim Work pic by Tim Lewis
I had a great time seeing music a week ago Friday at Light Club Lamp Shop and Radio Bean. The two shows were so perfectly lined up, I couldn’t not go.
I had a relaxed day off, took the lovely walk downtown, and settled into the Bean. Milton Busker and the Grim Work were set and ready to play. They opened with a song about giving me all of your time then sang of Jesus In Chains. Milton’s voice is pure and strong and the band have a relaxed country funk kind of sound. They sounded a little more pop on a song about letting you down and a little heavier on the one about 16 tons of gold. They played a cover about how your love is all my soul needed, and followed with a cool version of The Person Aside You. They got a little darker and slower on a song about taking me home and making me whole then played a cheery song about how nobody loves you. They implored don’t let me down, and followed with a song about the joy that is around you. That one had a nice rocking ending. They sang about how you and I can fix it then took a gorgeous turn on Baby Let My Money Keep You Warm. They sang about how they were glad to see you go and closed the night with a slow shuffle version of Eleanor Rigby. They were as great as always.
After hearing an hour of dark contemplative lyrics set to happy relaxed music, I was in the perfect mindset for Swale. I moved over to the Lamp Shop and settled in. A duo called the Violins of Baltimore sounded nice for the song and a half that I caught.
The Violins Of Baltimore pic by Tim Lewis
After their set, time flowed nicely, and SWALE were ready begin their 16th birthday party. They began slow and dark with Before The Night then sent a bolt through the crowd with If You Get Lost. Cancer rocked nicely and Felon was just beautiful. They eased back a bit for Wooden Heart and stayed slow for the beginning of Good Medicine. Towards the end of the song Eric Olsen ripped out a passionate lead break. They kept us rocking with Joyless then played a cool new song. I think it was about how you can be anyone. They delighted us with dozens of puns in Release Your Records then shifted into top speed for Drug Laws. They slowed the music to a crawl, then steadily drove it higher and higher before it crested and eased back into the end of Every Last One Of Us. They rocked the set to a close with Everyone Likes To. Since it was their birthday, they had presents for us. They played a hot September give stuff away jam as Amanda Gustafson read out the numbers of the raffle tickets they had given out earlier while Eric handed out albums to the winners. The whole show was great but the end was just a little extra fun.
Swale pic by Tim Lewis
I had a great time seeing music a couple of Wednesdays ago at Red Square. It had been a long day and I thought that catching a little music in the evening might be nice. The show was set to go from 7-11, but by the time I got home, settled and out the door, it was already late.
I took the lovely walk downtown and wondered if I should have worn a coat. It was right on that fine line. I slid into the Square, got a drink, then went to the alley. Robin Gottfried Band were on stage playing Shaky Ground. They launched into a cool jazzy pop song called Criminal Investigation, then ended set 2. Such timing.
I hung out for a bit then the band returned to the stage. They played as a four piece with a cool bassist and keyboard player. Ian Koeller was on drums and seemed to casually perfectly keep the beat, through he could shift on a dime to a new rhythm and let loose furious bursts of drums when needed. Robin has a nice clear voice and when he gets going, his guitar playing is fantastic. Most of the songs had a jazzy rock feel. They opened set 3 with a song about being Quarantined from hopelessness and helplessness. They jammed out Dixie Chicken, which featured some nice slide work and a rocked out ending. They asked us to imagine the horns and backup singers for a cover of Peg. They played an original song wondering where the heroes were that they knew as kids. They were nice and funky on Stevie’s I Wish then went back to Dan for My Old School. They ended that one with a short killer drum solo from Ian that made the audience gasp.
I think that is when they ended the set. The break was short and they came back for a song about when I first loved you. They sang about how they gotta get your loving off my mind then sang about how they got a new car. Was it a Jaguar or a Porsche or a Benz? No, per the wife, it was a Prius. They sang about laying it on me ’cause I’m a friend for you. They played a Neville Brothers song about people reaping what people sow. They played Clapton’s Change The World. Cinnamon Girl was fun then they played an original about the love I have for you. They rocked out a fun song about how Patty’s in the Caddy and were going to call it a night. A few Australians were hanging out and asked for more. They played another cool song about how I’m your lover, then wrapped it up.
I said a quick goodby and took the chilly walk home. I’m so glad I put the effort in.
Nina’s Brew pic by Tim Lewis
I had a great time seeing music last weekend on Burlington’s waterfront. I worked from 9-1 on Saturday, then had a little time at home to get ready. I was a little slow to get out the door and head down to Grand Point North. I arrived around 3:10 for the show that had doors at 3 and the first band on at 3:15. The timing was as tight as I thought it might be and I got into the venue at the end of Nina’s Brew‘s second song. I headed up front and began to listen. They played as a two guitars, bass, drums, keys band and jammed out some rock and roll. They sang about how life is a roller coaster and how you got to know my name. That one had a cool opening from the keyboard player and some nice vocal work at the end. They closed the set with one about a little bit, or let’s roll, or something. The set featured a sweet lead guitar, sweet keys, sweet vocals and were a fun rocking time.
Miku Daza pic by Tim Lewis
Immediately after their set ended, we shifted to the stage on the right and Miku Daza hit it hard. Joined by Sugar the Clown for the opening song, they began as a guitar, bass, drums trio. They played fast and hard on the opener Parasite. About half way into the song, Sugar wandered into the audience and Jonathan Tollefson appeared with his surging Baritone Saxophone. They followed with Flaca Daza and Chris Tranten and Will Bennington laid down super heavy rhythms on bass and drums. Miku’s guitar surged and her vocals effortlessly flowed from a whisper to a scream. Her rainbow colored wings were wonderful all the way through the show. Their powerhouse gypsy punk sound was pure joy. Even through I was close to the stage, the volume was lower than ideal. I moved a bit to the right to catch more of the speaker, but likely should have moved a bit to the left to catch more of the center one. Oh well. They kept the music at full fury for one about a heavy load where you have the power and one about giving me everything I need. Panic was fun, as was the one like fire. Sugar Rush got us a little high then they sang about dressing in black. They closed as hard as they opened with a song about how you don’t make it easy, so I’m gonna make it hard. Their set was pure rocking joy.
Miku Daza pic by Tim Lewis
We shifted to stage left as West End Blend began to jam. They had a funky soulful sound punctuated by lots of horns. They opened with a song about the prophecy then got into a long cool jam. They switched to a more jazzy sound for one about having to fight to make it right. They moved back to funk for one about telling me what to do. It had a fun get down, it’s getting me down, breakdown in the middle. They closed with a song about how we’re gonna try that had a nice keys lead section and was driven by the horns. They were pretty cool.
West End Blend pic by Kim Tuure Faris
The action moved to the right and Clever Girls opened with a bluesy rock jam. They let it drop into a gorgeous version of Catch And Release and we were off. Sometimes they play with full rock fury and sometimes they are a little more gentle and precise. This show was the latter and it showcased their songwriting talent. Dumb Smile was a delight as Rob Slater and Tobias Sullivan kept a tight rocking groove on drums and bass. Diane Jean yelled out 1 2 3 4 as the band lit into Loose Tooth. Her guitar gave it a nice rock feel. They played a cool new song about tilting your head back, then followed with the delightfully gloomy Loom. Another new one about walking in circles had a swampy sound. A little way into the song, the energy picked up and they got closer to the full power that they can release. Hannah Wants to see you was gorgeous and Diane’s voice soared then they dropped it into Heavy. The song surged to full power and they let loose their full fury. Winfield Holt‘s guitar surged to glorious rock heights as they locked into that groove and worked it hard. I loved every moment of that ripping guitar, and they set a standard that would not be overcome for the rest of the night. What a great set!
Clever Girls pic by Tim Lewis
On stage left Darlingside played with strings, voices, and a kick drum. They had a nice sound and were great at chatting with the audience, especially on the introductions for the band members. They sang about history books and Back To The Future Part 2. They asked is it today or tomorrow and sang about a superconductor up in the sky. They sang a song for the cowboys that kind of rocked a little and had a nice lead before slipping back into their usual gentle happy sound. They sang a song about how mother died young and their sound delighted the crowd for their whole set. I liked them but was still a bit wound up from the set before.
Darlingside pic by Kim Tuure Faris
The steadily growing crowd moved left as Mt Joy opened with a solid rock sound. They let it slide into a mellow jam singing from side to side and changing your mind. They sang about smoking cigarettes on rooftops and red lights. They asked if we realized that everyone we know someday will die and rocked a bit in the middle. Their music had a nice flow as they urged us to show up and vote in a song about the red, white, and the blue. They lit into a fun song and dropped a bit of Ain’t No Sunshine into the middle. They closed with a song about being on the mountain that rocked a bit and was quite nice.
Mt Joy pic by Tim Lewis
The festival was pretty packed when Ani DiFranco took the stage. Her band had a jazzy sound that created plenty of space for her words and lyrics to stand out. She opened with a song about not being shy and followed with one about being taken out of context. She sang a poem about democracy that she sent out to her fellow voters. Since it was a festival with non-stop music, I got to a point where I needed to wander around and get a drink. It’s unfortunate that it hit during Ani’s set, since she was so cool and great. I hoped there would be speakers in the vending area so I could still listen in, but that was not the case. I made it back just as her set ended. I wish I had planned a little better, but with nine bands over 8 hours, it’s a bit overwhelming.
Ani DiFranco pic by Tim Lewis
I got back in and settled. The sun had set and Jackson Browne took the stage and was joined by Greg Leisz. They both played guitar for most of the set through Greg played some sweet pedal steel now and then. They mostly avoided the big hit songs in favor of more poignant obscure ones. Even the cover of a Band song was not well known. He sang a song for migrant workers and spoke about a program that teaches children of immigrants their historic culture when they would have otherwise not have known about it. They brought out Ariel Zevon for a song called Cold Hearted Empath. Something in that song stuck a chord with me and I was elated for every note. She left and they continued on with quiet songs including Late For The Sky. He moved to piano for a grand version of The Pretended which got the crowd going a bit then slowed it back down. Late in the set the opening notes of Take It Easy sent a bolt of energy through the crowd, who proceeded to sing it word for word in full festival gusto. They closed with another quiet one and called it a night.
Jackson Browne pic by Tim Lewis
Grace Potter pic by Tim Lewis
Grace Potter with Kenny Chesney and Jackson Browne pic by Tim Lewis
Julia Caesar pic by Tim Lewis
I had Sunday off and learned my lesson from missing the first two songs on Saturday. I got going earlier and arrived at the waterfront about 1:50 for the show that had gates at 2 and first band at 2:15. Around 2:05 our line started moving and at 2:10 I was inside the gates. I got a beer, moved to stage left, and Julia Caesarbegan to weave their magical spell. They opened with Hear Me Now and their beautiful vocal harmonies lead into the song that takes many fun twists and turns. The second song was one about how someone told a girl that she takes up too much space. It opened quietly then began to rock. They found a happy groove for Chosen Names then played a new song called Demons. It’s a triple threat song with a vocal round to open, and fun audience clap-along part and a sing-along part that goes we’re dying alone. It’s such a fun song. They played the song that ends saying let it be without a sound, and the ferry boat hit its horn precisely on the last note. They rocked out a long fun version of Falter and let it end in a feedback haze. It was a brilliant set.
Juptr pic by Tim Lewis
The music began immediately on stage right, so we all moved over as JUPTRband filled the air with their cool smooth synth pop sound. I’m not one for fashion, but I’ve got to say that Stephanie Heaghney’s shoes were every bit as dazzling as Miku Daza’s wings the day before. Juptr continued on with a late night jazzy soul sound that featured some nice keyboard flourishes. Their music evoked a late night cozy bar feeling but worked well in the blazing sunshine. They played a song about Jupiter being true then one that made us happy happy. That one got a bit trancey and I lost myself in it for a while. They brought up three dancers for a slow cool funky song about fighting for your life then called it an afternoon. They were really good. I need to check them out again soon.
Juptr pic by Tim Lewis
We all moved left and Harsh Armadillo began with something that reminded me of Golgi Apparatus. They let it slip into a big band soul jazz sound and we were off. They played a song about how nothing can come between us that had a ripping lead guitar part. They played a song about sweet sweet love that had a nice slow keys lead section in the middle. They played a song with a Zappa jazz sound and closed with a rich soul jazz sound on a song about how all I have is a bit of sunshine. They were fun.
Harsh Armadillo pic by Tim Lewis
We moved to the right and Seth Yacovone Band opened with some hard rock blues on a song about demons. Seth let loosed a staggering lead break that elicited great joy from the audience. They stayed bluesy for a song that asked what will I do when you’re gone. They could barely contain themselves on a song from the upcoming album Welcome then played one about how we are all waiting. Mr Reed began by rocking hard then they kicked it up a notch for the second verse. By the time they hit the third one they brought it to a staggering height of rock and roll glory, then ripped out the ending. I was sure that would be the most intense part of the day.
Seth Yacovone pic by Tim Lewis
Music began immediately on stage left as Sister Sparrow began to play. They had a soulful rock sound with strong vocals and a couple of horns. They sounded nice but I was still riding the heights of the band before. A song about not being jealous had a funky opening and rocked a bit at the end. They played a new song called Ghost then a new song called Gold. They treated us with their take on Aretha Franklin’s version of Bridge Over Troubled Water then ended the set with a Grateful Dead like jam.
Sister Sparrow pic by Tim Lewis