SOUND : SEAFOAM - WE'LL BE FREE

Forget the rumored ocean of natural gas that lies beneath Ohio’s layers of shale. This state harbors a greatly under-appreciated repository of musical wealth within its folds. No fracking required.

Tucked away in the tiny town of Athens, Ohio, recent Ohio University graduate John Jagos has been pumping out cool, soothing electronic music under the moniker of Brothertiger for a few years now. His new project, Seafoam diverges from the electro path and pulls inspiration from surf culture laced with shoegaze, and tops it with his signature light reverb vocal styles.  You can feel the warm carefree vibes throughout the 5 track EP, which dropped last Friday.  Seafoam LP will make a perfect addition to your summer soundtrack. Grab it now on BNDCMP.

Fool's Gold returns to Columbus this Saturday!

photo by John Danner

There is something infectious about Fool’s Gold's music that makes audiences uncontrollably flail, shuffle, and clap with a feverish delight.  This LA band's music is a delightful combination of western pop, afro-beat and krautrock elements that shimmer and awe, just like an ore of pyrite.

I first saw Luke Top and his awesomely tremendously talented troupe perform at The Summit on a stiflingly muggy night in July of 2010.  That evening, the air inside the venue was especially thick and stung my eyes.  My hair was sticking to my back and forehead, and my clothes were damp with sweat. The door guy told me the AC unit had broken earlier that evening. I was downing water like camel in a futile attempt to cool off. As soon Fool’s Gold began to play, all thoughts about the stifling humidity disappeared. I began to dance like a wild banshee with the rest of the crowd.  

Fool’s Gold returns to Columbus, Ohio this Saturday, May 19 at The Summit! One of my favorite local bands, Maza Blaska is opening! Bring your dancing shoes and don’t forget to stretch your legs beforehand. You won’t be able to stop yourself from moving with the energy both of these bands exude.

Read the JITP interview with Fool’s Gold's Luke Top and Brad Caulkins from 2010 here.

HERE WE GO MAGIC PICKS UP JOHN WATERS

 

Last night, I interviewed Here We Go Magic in Pittsburgh. This morning they pick up director John Waters on I-70 in the middle of nowhere, Ohio. Read the full story here.

PHOTO : NEON INDIAN

"Psychic Chasms" by Brigid Gallagher

My dear and talented friend, Brigid Gallagher, is in the running to be an official photographer for the Forecastle Music Festival and she needs your help!  She submitted this stunning shot of Alan Palomo of Neon Indian as he masterfully cast his electro spells at a show in Chicago. 

The communal experience of live music is transcendent, which is perhaps why I find myself at concerts weekly. To me, music is spiritual – and even more so in a live setting, with the band, fans, and environment intermingling to create a truly unique and organic experience. So when I’m able to capture an image that reflects the essence of that moment in time, it makes me feel like I’m even more so a part of that collective “something” that is ultimately bigger than me – bigger than all of us. Merging my two passions, music and photography, is what I want to spend my life doing. This opportunity would literally be a dream realized. I am beyond grateful for this chance. When I captured this image of Neon Indian’s Alan Palomo, they were playing “Psychic Chasms,” so I thought it was fitting to title the shot after the song. It’s hard to refrain from dancing at Neon Indian shows, but at this moment the crowd seemed to halt and watch Alan, who was leaning over his Korg with intense focus. 

- Brigid Gallagher 

I would be forever grateful if you vote for Brigid!!! Just click the photo to be redirected to her voting page.

Brigid’s Official Photography Website
Forecastle Music Festival Website 

PHOTOS : ST. VINCENT

Newport Music Hall | May 8, 2012 | Columbus, OH

photos by Miharu Kato

"The last time we were in Columbus, we had to cancel the show at the last minute." Annie Clark's mouth twisted sourly as she recounted that frigid evening in February of 2009 when she was scheduled perform Outland's Live's very first live rock show.  The club was in the process of transitioning from an S&M club to a music venue. None of the PAs were functioning when St. Vincent went to soundcheck.  There was no way she could have performed that night, thus the concert was cancelled 10 minutes before doors were to open.

"I just want to share with you, that my dressing room was actually a sex dungeon.  I was served hummus… on a submission table," Annie stated, as she looked bashfully down at her feet.  The crowd whooped and hollered. "Just hummus and pita, laid out on a submission table. Anyways…I hope we can make up for cancelling that show tonight." 

Boy, did she ever. St. Vincent put on one of the most enchanting and energetic performances I have ever seen at the Newport.  Clad in a sleeveless black blouse, black leather shorts, black tights, and stunning silver ankle boots, Annie Clark electrified the audience with her vocal grace, spazzy, robotic body movements, and powerful guitar shreds.  Men were falling in love with her.  Women were wanting to emulate her.  

The set list was mostly songs from her latest album Strange Mercy, and a few songs from the 2009 release Actor.  Some of the strongest songs included “Marrow”, “Cheerleader”, “Cruel”, “Actor”, and “Northern Lights.” I won’t lie, my eyes started to well will tears when the first few words from “Champagne Year,” escaped her lips. There was something about the way she sang “It’s not a perfect plan, but it’s the one we’ve got,” with bittersweet sincerity that hushed the entire room. “Krokodile” rounded out the main set and Annie hopped off the stage into the photo pit. Everyone in the crowd stood there dumbfounded thinking 'Is this skinny babe really going to crowdsurf?! Someone may break her!' I spotted her climbing up on the security rail and twist her back towards the audience, looking wide-eyed and somewhat terrified at the fact that only a few people had their arms and hands raised to support her.  After a minute or two of her flipping around in the same area, she started to float around the pit, screaming the lyrics like a punk princess.

DO NOT miss an opportunity to catch St. Vincent on tour. Annie Clark is someone I consider to be a supreme rock goddess.  She is surely destined to become a powerful and influential rock n’ roll legend.  Venues, if you happen to be an S&M/rock/live club combo… serve the lady her hummus and pita on a table not used for weird sexual fetishes.

Click here for a full list of St. Vincent tour dates.