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Showing posts from February, 2018

Evil Note Lab, Window Cat & Natural Born Leaders 2.23.18 (Photos)

The Orange Peel Asheville, NC Photos by Alex Cox Photography View Alex's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.soundcloud.com/evilnotelab www.windowcatmusic.bandcamp.com www.naturalbornleadersband.com

The Travelin' McCourys & Billy Strings 2.22.18 (Photos)

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom Denver, CO Photos by Nancy Isaac Photography View Nancy's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.thetravelinmccourys.com www.billystrings.com

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe & Analog Son 2.16.18

Washington’s Fort Collins, CO Words & Photos by Nicholas Stock ( Fat Guerilla Productions ) Washington’s, Wash Bar, The Myron H. Akin Warehouse are all names that have adorned the massive stone building on Laporte Avenue in Fort Collins. For thirty-eight years Washington’s was a sports bar with more kitsch and random artifacts adorning the walls than an Applebee’s on steroids. In 2016, the bar was shuttered and bought by local philanthropy the Bohemian Foundation with plans to turn it into a new venue for the residents of Northern Colorado. The result is an absolutely staggering transformation. Gone are the old oil paintings and wood paneling, and now a shiny new room with exposed stone walls and multiple bars has taken their place. The entire renovation is top notch. The improvements show an incredible attention to detail and an utter concern for patrons. As you approach Washington’s you notice the layout is completely new and designed for ergonomics and flow. The box off

Forq & The Macpodz 2.19.18 (Photos)

The Parliament Room at Otus Supply Ferndale, MI Photos by Kevin Alan Lamb View Kevin's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.forqmusic.com www.themacpodz.com

Lotus 2.15.18

Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR Words by Mitch Melheim Photos by Coleman Schwartz Media Once again, Lotus made their way to the west coast, this time for an abbreviated tour that was supposed to begin the night before in Spokane. The show was cancelled due to low ticket sales, more of a reflection on Spokane’s music scene than Lotus’s draw in the Pacific Northwest. This allowed the band to skip over what would’ve been a 5 1/2 hour drive and instead, they showed up to Portland’s Crystal Ballroom fresh and ready to ignite the dance party we’ve come to expect from the humble yet explosive quintet. “Wax,” an old school favorite, kicked off the night with an expansive and quirky jam which extended to the point that a friend of mine was convinced they sandwiched another song inside of it until seeing the setlist later on. “Opo” followed and continued the old school vibe with Luke Miller on guitar, my personal favorite setup that the versatile band deploys. The first newer song of th

Umphreys Mcgee & Marcus King Band 2.17.18 (Photos)

US Cellular Center Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.umphreys.com

Brad Parsons, Lewi Longmire & Ponder The Albatross 2.20.18 (Photos)

Lost Lake Denver, CO Photos by Ryan Fitzgerald ( Jarred Media ) View Ryan's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.bradparsonsband.com www.lewilongmire.com www.ponderthealbatross.com

Chrome Drones & Mile High Social Club 2.17.18 (Photos)

Ophelia's Denver, CO Photos by Doug Fondriest Photography View Doug's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.chromedrones.com

Walk The Moon & Company of Thieves 2.16.18

Neptune Theatre Seattle, WA Words & Photos by Erica Garvey “All I Want,” indeed: a sold-out theater full of loyal fans were treated to a high-energy performance by pop phenoms Walk the Moon last Friday, night one of their two-date weekend run at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre. Opening act Company of Thieves, who is supporting Walk the Moon throughout the U.S. portion of the tour, moved through a cohesive collection of songs in the same pop-rock vein as the main act, with singer Genevieve Schatz undeniably holding her own in the spotlight. While the songs themselves seem to be well-written and the band members are all talented enough, the live act does not convey the same confidence heard on their studio recordings, and perhaps relies too much on Schatz to fill out each tune. Prefacing almost every song, Schatz explained the meaning of the lyrics in melodramatic fashion. With an enthusiastic crowd in a beautiful mid-sized venue, Schatz and company would be better served letting

Trey Anastasio 2.18.18 (Photos)

The Classic Center Athens, GA Photos by Julie Hutchins ( Tipping Point Designs ) View Julie's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.trey.com

Praang (Kimock, Janover, Travis, Hann) & Templo 2.17.18 (Photos)

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom Denver, CO Photos by Miles Photography View Derek's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.facebook.com/PRAANG.Travis.Hann.Kimock.Janover www.soundcloud.com/templomusic

STFKR & Reptaliens 2.16.18 (Photos)

The Orange Peel Asheville, NC Photos by Alex Cox Photography View Alex's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.strfkr.com www.reptaliens.bandcamp.com

Atomga, Dendrites & Jericho 2.16.18 (Photos)

Ophelia's Denver, CO Photos by Ryan Fitzgerald ( Jarred Media ) View Ryan's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.atomga.com www.thedendritesmassive.bandcamp.com

Umphreys Mcgee & Marcus King Band 2.16.18 (Photos)

US Cellular Center Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.umphreys.com www.marcuskingband.com

Pimps of Joytime & Toubab Krewe 2.16.18 (Photos)

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom Denver, CO Photos by Doug Fondriest Photography View Doug's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.pimpsofjoytime.com www.toubabkrewe.com

The Dustbowl Revival with Jack & The Bear 2.14.18 (Photos)

The Parliament Room at Otus Supply Ferndale, MI Photos by Kevin Alan Lamb View Kevin's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.dustbowlrevival.com www.jackandthebear.com

The Ghost of Paul Revere & Spencer Albee 2.10.18 (Photos)

Shalin Liu-Center Rockport, MA Photos by Drew Hines ( Hinesight Imagery ) View Drew's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.ghostofpaulrevere.com www.spenceralbee.com

Hot Buttered Rum 2.9.18 (Photos)

Nectar Lounge Seattle, WA Photos by Chris Davis View Chris' Full Photo Gallery Here! www.hotbutteredrum.net

Greensky Bluegrass 2.9.18 (Photos)

The Fillmore Detroit Detroit, MI Photos by Kevin Alan Lamb View Kevin's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.greenskybluegrass.com

Mike Gordon 2.9.18 (Photos)

Neptune Theatre Seattle, WA Photos by Chris Davis View Chris' Full Photo Gallery Here! www.mike-gordon.com

Mike Dillon & Amandla 2.9.18

Psychedelic Ripple Denver, CO Words by Kristin Zachman ( Direct Attention ) Photos by Blake Barit ( Direct Attention ) This weekend the Midwest was plagued by some intensely snowy weather. Luckily, the forecast couldn’t keep Mallet Man Mike Dillon down. He braved the roads between Missouri and Denver to bring his vibraphone to Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple Room, a reincarnation of Quixote’s True Blue just east of Colfax. Having frequented Jay Bianchi’s Owsley’s Golden Road, Be On Key fell right in line with what I had expected. The psychedelic lounge was littered with posters of musicians and past concerts. There were kitschy signs that said things like “Pot Smokers Only” and laughable license plates that read “CSHRTRD” and “DEADHEAD” to ensure no escape from visual stimulation. Topping it all off was a tapestry with the hippy messiah, Jerry Garcia, keeping a watchful eye on the dance floor. The night’s acts stood up to their overstimulating surroundings. Amandla, Claude Co

Blues Traveler 2.7.18 (Photos)

The Orange Peel Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.bluestraveler.com

Euforquestra, Mama Magnolia & Whiskey Autumn 2.1.18

The Fox Theatre Boulder, CO Words & Photos by Charla Harvey Thursday night was an absolute treat at the Fox Theatre. Three seriously talented bands graced us with their instruments, their voices, and their souls. Denver-based band Whiskey Autumn kicked off the night. Greg Laut is the lead singer, he plays guitar and keyboard as well. Matty Schelling is the drummer, and Jason Paton plays bass and keyboards. At first, I was disappointed when Jason had his back to the audience for a good portion of the show until I realized he was playing the bass and keyboards simultaneously! Whiskey Autumn had a very calm stage presence. Everyone in the audience was smiling and dancing. One girl in the crowd had a polaroid camera, which seemed to fit the vibe of this indie pop rock band. Whiskey Autumn was appreciative the whole night, thanking the audience between songs. They ended their set covering David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” It was definitely a crowd pleaser. The band presented very profe

Fruition & Rayland Baxter 2.3.18 (Photos)

The Ogden Theatre Denver, CO Photos by Blake Barit ( Direct Attention ) View Blake's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.fruitionband.com www.raylandbaxter.com

A Conversation with Zach Lupetin (The Dustbowl Revival)

By Kevin Alan Lamb Can you recall the first post you made on Craigslist? Perhaps you were looking for a roommate, selling a couch, television, car, or maybe you’re kind of creepy looking for a Missed Connection… Or maybe, you’re too young or too old to have experienced the strange digital space made famous before the book of face revolution; either way, it was a thing (and still is, sort of) and the eight-piece American roots orchestra, The Dustbowl Revival, wouldn’t be one without it. I’ve often given L.A. a bad wrap as the land where folks dreamed to one day arrive, yet forgot to dream again in the wake of their arrival; but a recent conversation with Zach Lupetin reminded that like the city I love (Detroit), the City of Angels is a melting pot for creative souls with sights set on soaring, where a decade ago the climate was just right for a tongue-and-cheek Craigslist post written as a breath of fresh air from a sea of Burger King commercials and relinquished dreams. “Hey, I

Pulse of Nature feat. Fareed Haque 2.3.18 (Photos)

Fiske Planetarium Boulder, CO Photos by Miles Photography View Derek's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.sepulvedamusic.com www.fareed.com

Pink Talking Fish, Eminence Ensemble & Kessel Run 2.3.18 (Photos)

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom Denver, CO Photos by Doug Fondriest Photography View Doug's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.pinktalkingfish.com www.eminenceensemble.com

Fruition & Rayland Baxter 2.2.18 (Photos)

The Ogden Theatre Denver, CO Photos by Nancy Isaac Photography View Nancy's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.fruitionband.com www.raylandbaxter.com

ALBUM REVIEW: Umphrey's McGee It's Not Us

Words by Blake Barit Direct Attention Since my first Umphrey’s McGee show, I was blown away by their genre bending sound and innovative approach to live performances. From hair metal runs, to funk grooves, straight forward rocking, psychedelia, sentimental ballads, aggro progressive transitions, even a bit of comedy, working cohesively to form a sound that would keep me coming back for the next 12 years. With this new album, we find an older band a bit wiser in their years, ready to push their craft even further and rock like nothing has changed. Recorded in Chicago, it’s not us is the band’s eleventh studio effort. The album is seething with everything fans have come to know and love. Jake Cinninger on guitar, and Ryan Stasik on bass, bring power to a hard rock-driven album, layered with Brendan Bayliss’ introspective lyricism. Centered predominately on their classic progressive rock sound, the album maintains an eclectic nature, venturing into funk, electronica, and folk. Rig

David Grisman Quintet 1.26.18

Alberta Rose Theatre Portland, OR Words by Elana Eisenberg Photos by Coleman Schwartz Media David Grisman and his quintet brought bluegrass and jazz to the Portland’s Alberta Rose Theatre on a Friday night. Fans turned out to help the band sell the intimate room out twice in a single evening. The early show attracted an older array of folks, but you’d never be able to tell from the giddiness emanating from the crowd. Patrons mingled, excitedly catching up with long lost friends, until the band finally took the stage and a respectful hush fell over the room. Before long, a walking, even skipping, bassline had heads bobbing all around the seated theatre. David Grisman, known widely as the Dawg, has been working on his signature style of music for upwards of 40 years. In this time, the band has seen a rotating cast of musicians, but since 2007 the quintet has kept a stable lineup. At its core, “Dawg Music” is a refreshing mix of traditional bluegrass instruments creating a

Dave Watts' Birthday 1.27.18 (Photos)

Cervantes Other Side Denver, CO Photos by Doug Fondriest Photography View Doug's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.themotet.com

Del McCoury Band 1.28.18 (Photos)

Diana Wortham Theatre Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.delmccouryband.com

Larry Keel Experience 1.27.18 (Photos)

Asheville Music Hall Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.larrykeel.com

Greensky Bluegrass & Billy Strings 1.27.18 (Photos)

House of Blues Boston, MA Photos by Drew Hines ( Hinesight Imagery ) View Drew's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.greenskybluegrass.com www.billystrings.com

Del McCoury Band & Commander Salamander 1.27.18 (Photos)

Georgia Theatre Athens, GA Photos by Julie Hutchins ( Tipping Point Designs ) View Julie's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.delmccouryband.com