This Week in Columbus, OH :: Week of November 28, 2011

This Friday, yours truly hits the ripe old age of 26.  What better way to celebrate the start of the last year of my mid-twenties than to treat myself some mid-week treats of  live music in Columbus, Ohio!  I invite you to join me on my musical adventures this week.  Columbus is an amazing city with a burgeoning music scene and a strong arts community.

Gauntlet Hair : Tuesday, November 29, 2011 : The Summit

Listen to: Gauntlet Hair - Top Bunk

Best friends (forever) Andy R. and Craig Nice, a.k.a. Gauntlet Hair, will take the stage of The Summit, tonight, November 29.  These boys have been making music together since they were 15.  Their glitchy, reverb-laced, slo-mo body flailing tunes have never failed to push me through the dull moments of the work day, or aided my weaves in and out of traffic. Can’t wait to bang my head tonight!

Ganglians : Wednesday, November 30, 2011 : Ace of Cups

Listen to: Ganglians - Valiant Brave

The long haired, tall, and wild Ganglians will perform at Ace of Cups on Wednesday night. Their latest record Monster Head Room was released through Woodsist Records who have put out records by Kurt Vile, Real Estate, and Columbus’ own Psychadelic Horseshit.  Ganglians are a body of lo-fi, with a heart of surf, brain of psychedelia with veins of drone coursing with fluids of folk.  This band is bound to simultaneously spook and sway you.

SPOONFEED x JACK IN THE POCKET

I am so pleased to officially announce an exclusive collaboration between Spoonfeed Columbus and Jack in the Pocket.  Spoonfeed comprised of a team of ultra-passionate, ultra-talented people who are out to show the world what our city has to offer. I started JITP to do the same, to talk to talent that comes through Columbus, to show everyone living here that our music scene is strong and that little research will pay off with a giant reward.

For our first project, we will be posting an interview and a behind-the-scenes look at Ohio’s very own WALK THE MOON.  WALK THE MOON's rapid rise has been an exhilarating ride to follow. I saw them play at Skully's Music Diner less than a year ago when Jimmy from HeadUnderwater.com came for a visit.  After their set, Jimmy and I looked at eachother and said, “These guys are going to blow up in less than 6 months.” We couldn’t deny that WTM embodied the perfect pop-rock formula; a fresh yet familiar sound, good lookin’ band members, and an onstage presence that electrifies audiences. We breathlessly gushed this to lead singer Nick Petricca, who seemed excited, humbled, and a tiny bit apprehensive. The music biz is tough to break into after all.  Approximately 7 months later, WALK THE MOON signed to RCA Records, a label under the SONY MUSIC empire.  WTM is currently on tour with Fitz and the Tantrums, and opened for them at The Newport Music Hall on Friday night. I cannot wait to share the amazing footage Spoonfeed and Jack in the Pocket recorded that day. 

Kate of Spoonfeed Columbus and me with our faces painted for Walk The Moon.

Thanks to Spoonfeed’s Kate, Larry, Jeff, Julian, and Trevor for taking me on board. It will be an honor to work with y’all. I would also like to thank you, readers.  Without you, this blog and this relationship with Spoonfeedwould not be possible.

xx kp

Neon Indian | October 15, 2011 | The Grog Shop | Cleveland, OH

Photos by Miharu Kato

(Please, excuse me while I gush.)

This past weekend Miharu Kato, Larry Doyle (of SpoonfeedColumbus.com) and I piled into my car and drove up to Cleveland, Ohio to see one of my all time favorite bands, Neon Indian.  While Larry had never experience the phenomenal mind melt that is a Neon Indian show, Miharu and I have seen them 3 times together (before we met, we were in the same audience at 2 other NI shows).  All of us were antsy with excitement. I never fail to feel re-energized and inspired after a Neon Indian show; Miharu and I were thrilled to bring Larry along for the ride.

I rarely miss an opportunity to see Neon Indian since I interviewed lead singer, Alan Palomo, for JackinthePocket.com in June of last year. I still remember how extreeemely nervous I was, and, how much liquid courage I needed to conduct the interview. (I was on my fourth by the time we ended that 20 min. conversation.) Nowadays, we can joke around and catch up over some beer or Bloody Marias when our paths cross.

He greeted me with a smile and hug when he came out of the green room on his way to watch Com Truise melt the audience with his synth swoops. Since our first meeting on that sweaty day in Pittsburgh, Alan released his sophomore album, Era Extraña, crafted while spending long, cold days in isolation in Helsinki. That cute curly fro has been tamed into a dapper doo that hangs in a ringlet just above his eye. He’s replaced his semi-shyness with a charming confidence. He never fails to lead to great conversations about anime, music, and globe-trotting. I always find Alan extremely eloquent and hope he never relinquishes his nerdom. His onstage persona has become more electrifying, enhanced by the talented musicians he brings on tour. Leanne Macomber (sexy synth goddess) and Jason Fairies (handsome drummerman) have been permanent members since Neon Indian started touring in late 2009. 

(Leanne Macomber - Neon Indian)

It has been such a delight to watch Palomo and his band evolve, and electrify audiences around the globe. I’m so thankful that my friends have also fallen in love with his music, providing us with psychedelic soundtracks to so many of our adventures. While I didn’t get an official follow up interview this time (alcohol induced chats at 4 am are not meant to be documented), Alan promised a recorded Skype chat which should hopefully happen soon. 

(Com Truise)

(Purity Ring)

Miharu Kato has photographed several artists for this blog, and due to time constraints, I haven’t had the chance to post any of them with the corresponding interview.  The photos he took at last weekend’s concert were so… EPIC!!  I felt the urgency to share them with you all.  Visit his website for more of his work.

Jack in the Pocket Recommends ...

On my roof… photo by Chip Willis

It’s common knowledge that I am a total nut for live music.  Here is a list of shows coming up in Columbus, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Cincinnati that I recommend attending.  If I could clone myself and had a flying car I would be at all of these, but the bolded concerts are the ones that I will (or try my darnedest) to attend.  If you know of any other shows in the area that you would like to see here, shoot me an email and I’ll update this list.

Tue - 9/7 – Black Moth Super Rainbow – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH

Fri - 9/9 - Vetiver/Fruit Bats – Southgate House – Newport, KY (Cincinnati)

Thu – 9/15 - Active Child – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH

Sun – 9/18 – Born Gold – Garfield Artworks – Pittsburgh, PA

Mon - 9/19 - Fool’s Gold  - Skully’s Music Diner - Columbus, OH

Wed – 9/21 – The Dodos – Mr. Smalls – Pittsburgh PA

Thu - 9/22 - The Vaccines, Tennis, Young Buffalo – The Basement - Columbus, OH

Fri - 9/23 – Bear Hands – The Basement - Columbus, OH

Tue - 9/27 - Asobi Seksu – The Basement - Columbus, OH

                 Mayer Hawthorne/Chromeo – The Newport

                 Tune Yards – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH

                 Megafaun – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH

Wed – 9/28 – EDIT : Wavves / Fucked Up - Outland Live - Columbus, OH

                       Yuck – Brillobox – Pittsburgh, PA

Thu - 9/29 - The Joy Formidable/Fang Island – The Newport - Columbus, OH

Fri – 9/30 - Ty Segal, Mikal Cronin – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH

Sat - 10/1 – Mates of State – The Newport - Columbus, OH

Mon – 10/3 – The Drums – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH

Sat - 10/8 – Braids/Pepper Rabbit – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH

Sun - 10/2 – Foster The People/Cults – The Newport - Columbus, OH

Thu – 10/13 – Junior Boys – The Basement - Columbus, OH

Sat - 10/15 – Neon Indian/Com Truise/Purity Ring – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH

Mon – 10/17 Arctic Monkeys/Smith Westerns – The Newport - Columbus, OH

Sun – 10/23 – Cymbals Eat Guitars/Hooray for Earth – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH

Sat - 11/5 – The War on Drugs – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH

Also, Midpoint Music Festival September 22-25 in Cincinnati, Ohio which will include some of my all time faves, Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, Cut Copy, Town Monster, and many more.  I’ll be at a few of these.