Martinsburg band Bishops performs last Wednesday at Tony’s Pizza and Stonewall’s Pub in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock.
June 2014
There’s a lot going down during this upcoming humid (maybe rainy?) weekend. Though it’s still early, it appears that Alive @ Five might actually catch some good luck for the first time in a few weeks and move forward with their series as Triple Lindy takes the stage near Carroll Creek. As we said earlier, local alt-rockers Twin Radio, who just released a new record, will celebrate as much with their official party tomorrow night at the Frederick Rock School. And then, of course, you have Cosmic Charlie, the Grateful Dead tribute band that you can hear above. Not only are there fireworks in the video (yay!), but the band will be heading to the Baker Park Band Shell on Saturday night, if you are so inclined to check out a Grateful Dead tribute band. In a band shell. On a Saturday night. There’s tons of great stuff all around, including yet another festival, so there’s no excuse to go music-less throughout the weekend! Oh, and as if that’s not enough, check back here next week – we are getting ready to unleash a pretty awesomely awesome announcement on your pretty faces!
THURSDAY
Who: Alive @ Five featuring Triple Lindy
Where: Carroll Creek
When: 5 p.m.
Who: Open Mic
Where: Bushwallers
When: Sign-up at 9 p.m., play begins at 10 p.m.
Who: Open Mic hosted by Tomy Wright, SAW and F.A.M.E.
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Jazz Jam
Where: Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant & Tavern
When: 7:30 p.m.
Who: Steve Katz
Where: The Chapel Hill
When: 7:30 p.m.
Who: Paul Ivey
Where: Jo Jo’s Tap House
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Jon Ladeau Trio
Where: Cafe Nola
When: 9:30 p.m.
Who: Freddie Long
Where: Ayse Meze Lounge
When: 6 p.m.
Who: Etheral Jive
Where: The Bentz Street Raw Bar
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Pete Goodwin
Where: The Cellar Door
When: 8 p.m.
FRIDAY
Who: Twin Radio
Where: Frederick Rock School
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Laura Mae Socks
Where: Cafe Nola
When: 9:30 p.m.
Whoo: Eric Partyka
Where: The Bentz Street Raw Bar
When: 6 p.m.
Who: Black Tide, Threat Signal, Affiance, Hatchet, Hejira, More To Monroe
Where: Cafe 611
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Reid Schoedfelder
Where: The Cellar Door
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Jim Cupino Project
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Chris Hauska
Where: The Reunion
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Mike McManus
Where: Cactus Flats
When: 8:30 p.m.
Who: Andy Carignan
Where: The Main Cup
When: 8:30 p.m.
Who: Damon Foreman Band
Where: Champion Billiards
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Wylde Fire
Where: Hard Times Cafe
When: 9 p.m.
Who: JFACTOR
Where: Bushwallers
When: 10 p.m.
SATURDAY
Who: Urbana Music Festival featuring Ted Garber, Patty Reese Band and Sol Driven Train
Where: Urbana Regional Library
When: 2 to 7 p.m.
Who: Cosmic Charlie
Where: Baker Park Band Shell
When: 7 p.m.
Who: The Tonehounds
Where: Cafe Nola
When: 9:30 p.m.
Who: Burn The House
Where: The Bentz Street Raw Bar
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Suttle Thoughts, Inner County Crank, DJ Mike Nice
Where: Cafe 611
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Carousel Rogue
Where: The Cellar Door
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Michael Kelly
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Truly Unruly Band
Where: Cactus Flats
When: 8:30 p.m.
Who: SR3
Where: Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant & Tavern
When: 8:30 p.m.
Who: White House Effect
Where: Champion Billiards
When: 9 p.m.
Who: The Nightcrawlers
Where: Hard Times Cafe
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Platform Soul
Where: Bushwallers
When: 10 p.m.
Who: Broken Rocker
Where: Olde Towne Tavern
When: 10 p.m.
Well, it’s impressive. And ambitious. There’s no denying that. “La Bestia: Sweet Mother, A Troubadour’s Tale,” what Silver Spring visual artist, playwright and author Tom Block describes as a “multi-media exploration of the mother as both creator and destroyer,” is a single track, 40-minute musical performance that takes you on a wild, if not somewhat eerie ride through Block’s creationism concoction. It ends with an ambiguous “Why,” and you can’t help but wonder how figurative and literal that utterance truly wants to be.
It’s not that there isn’t anything to commend in these movements; rather, one must wonder how well such a presentation works without the visuals that beg to accompany it. Maybe some dancing? Perhaps a bit of acting? Instead, this stripped-down, neo-classical, audio-only performance leaves any listener who doesn’t have an imagination wondering what could have been. As for those who have no problem visualizing the story at hand, however … well, get ready. Forty minutes rarely feels this quick or this cluttered.
None of that is meant as a judgment value, of course. Becca Weiss has a richly perky voice that jumps from spoken-word to harmony-laden on a dime. Paired with cellist Desiree Miller, who fills out an empty background with a palate of colors that would make Georgia O’Keeffe blush, the attack works fantastically, from a technical standpoint at least. The two have an earned chemistry that makes the production whole.
Beginning with lush strokes of gloom that loom like a family of storm clouds over a hot summer evening, Weiss eases her way into the performance with strewn enunciations that showcase the depth of her range. It sets the stage for an intriguing wash of moods that drowns any preconception of inability. The woman can sing, and she can sing well.
Yet by the time that gives way to her storytelling abilities, you almost wish she wouldn’t stop crooning. Nothing against her talent as a narrator, but that textured pitch of hers could have been used in a more ingenuous manner, had she chosen to keep those intonations more flexible. Such a decision makes the end result feel as though it’s lacking at times, a mere fraction of the potential that appears often but not enough.
Those missed opportunities are forgiven, however, when Miller sprinkles in her brilliantly tasteful sound effects. Subliminal in nature, yet imperative in execution, her tiny bleeps and bops — all produced via her sturdy cello, mind you — should bring an easy smile to any listener. They don’t just break up the monotony of the production; they add a layer of intricacy that’s mandatory to appreciate.
Her expertise also helps make the best part of the performance, at about the 23-minute mark, work with a unique sense of versatility. It’s here where the orchestration dips into a darker place and the structure takes a right turn down an alley filled with jazz cats. On a whim, the duo trade in their dramatic flare for some smokey-cool berets and even a modicum of groove.
“Baby, his voice is a wide grin/ Against the broken moon, his chin,” Weiss asserts atop a cello-turned-bass approach that would make both Mingus and Clarke proud. The move is a wickedly fun departure from the classical influences that surround it, a welcome change of pace that all but paints a portrait for the contradicting scenery this performance often embodies. It’s like stepping out of an opera and into the Blue Note.
It also proves that the level of difficulty behind “La Bestia: Sweet Mother, A Troubadour’s Tale” is both exceptional and uncommon. Miller and Weiss wrote and performed the music, and while it was recorded in New York’s East Village, you almost want to believe it was created somewhere within the depths of your own headphones — the whole thing simply feels that personal. An amalgam of talent combines with otherworldly goals here, and it all adds up to one big Wow.
So, actually, check that first thought: Impressive and ambitious don’t even begin to scratch the surface.
** 2 1/2 STARS OUT OF 4 **
Thursday’s Video Of The Day brings us Frederick-bred Twin Radio and their song “Still Burning.” Why check out these guys? Well, that’s simple: They released their latest full-length this week! It’s called “The Coast Of Indigo” and you can buy it here. Also, yes: The song above these words is on it. If you like what you hear, you can head on over to their record release shindig tomorrow night at the Frederick Rock School. The show begins at 7 p.m., but word has it that a cornhole tournament is set to kick off at about 5:30. For more information on the band, including an album teaser, just click … right … here. And now you have something to do Friday night!
Well, it’s impressive. And ambitious. There’s no denying that. “La Bestia: Sweet Mother, A Troubadour’s Tale,” what Silver Spring visual artist, playwright and author Tom Block describes as a “multi-media exploration of the mother as both creator and destroyer,” is a single track, 40-minute musical performance that takes you on a wild, if not somewhat eerie ride through Block’s creationism concoction. It ends with an ambiguous “Why,” and you can’t help but wonder how figurative and literal that utterance truly wants to be.
It’s not that there isn’t anything to commend in these movements; rather, one must wonder how well such a presentation works without the visuals that beg to accompany it. Maybe some dancing? Perhaps a bit of acting? Instead, this stripped-down, neo-classical, audio-only performance leaves any listener who doesn’t have an imagination wondering what could have been. As for those who have no problem visualizing the story at hand, however … well, get ready. Forty minutes rarely feels this quick or this cluttered.
None of that is meant as a judgment value, of course. Becca Weiss has a richly perky voice that jumps from spoken-word to harmony-laden on a dime. Paired with cellist Desiree Miller, who fills out an empty background with a palate of colors that would make Georgia O’Keeffe blush, the attack works fantastically, from a technical standpoint at least. The two have an earned chemistry that makes the production whole.
Beginning with lush strokes of gloom that loom like a family of storm clouds over a hot summer evening, Weiss eases her way into the performance with strewn enunciations that showcase the depth of her range. It sets the stage for an intriguing wash of moods that drowns any preconception of inability. The woman can sing, and she can sing well.
Yet by the time that gives way to her storytelling abilities, you almost wish she wouldn’t stop crooning. Nothing against her talent as a narrator, but that textured pitch of hers could have been used in a more ingenuous manner, had she chosen to keep those intonations more flexible. Such a decision makes the end result feel as though it’s lacking at times, a mere fraction of the potential that appears often but not enough.
Those missed opportunities are forgiven, however, when Miller sprinkles in her brilliantly tasteful sound effects. Subliminal in nature, yet imperative in execution, her tiny bleeps and bops — all produced via her sturdy cello, mind you — should bring an easy smile to any listener. They don’t just break up the monotony of the production; they add a layer of intricacy that’s mandatory to appreciate.
Her expertise also helps make the best part of the performance, at about the 23-minute mark, work with a unique sense of versatility. It’s here where the orchestration dips into a darker place and the structure takes a right turn down an alley filled with jazz cats. On a whim, the duo trade in their dramatic flare for some smokey-cool berets and even a modicum of groove.
“Baby, his voice is a wide grin/ Against the broken moon, his chin,” Weiss asserts atop a cello-turned-bass approach that would make both Mingus and Clarke proud. The move is a wickedly fun departure from the classical influences that surround it, a welcome change of pace that all but paints a portrait for the contradicting scenery this performance often embodies. It’s like stepping out of an opera and into the Blue Note.
It also proves that the level of difficulty behind “La Bestia: Sweet Mother, A Troubadour’s Tale” is both exceptional and uncommon. Miller and Weiss wrote and performed the music, and while it was recorded in New York’s East Village, you almost want to believe it was created somewhere within the depths of your own headphones — the whole thing simply feels that personal. An amalgam of talent combines with otherworldly goals here, and it all adds up to one big Wow.
So, actually, check that first thought: Impressive and ambitious don’t even begin to scratch the surface.
2 1/2 stars out of 4
Colin McGuire is a writer and page designer at the News-Post, as well the music reviews editor at PopMatters.com. His blog, TV Without A TV, can be found at blog.fredericknewspost.com. Find all reviews plus local music podcasts, videos and upcoming shows at FrederickPlaylist.com. Email 72Hours@newspost.com if you’d like your album considered for review.
Today’s photo harkens back to our Launch Weekend and Friday, June 6, when Can You Canoe? opened for Heavy Lights at Cafe Nola. Yes, yes, yes. We know – you’re sick of hearing about our Launch Weekend. We get it. But we couldn’t leave out the great work these guys did in kicking the entire weekend off, now could we? No. No, we couldn’t. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock
All right. So, here’s how it works: You call us out on Facebook. We comply. And boom: Here’s Frederick Playlist’s first try at making sure metal is represented adequately. “This page has Zero love for the Frederick Metal scene!” someone posted on our page yesterday. “Check out Kalevra! Frederick locals doing the heavy stuff!” And so we are. Behold today’s Video Of The Day, Kalevra’s “Kansas City Shuffle.” Check them out July 26, when they play Cafe 611, right here in Frederick. And yes. We always want to know what we’re missing. So if there’s a band out there that you think is going to rule the world, hit us up at frederickplaylist@gmail.com, leave a comment here, or as Mr. Nathaniel Hallock did yesterday, Face-Page us and help us right our wrongs. Because as we like to say with our motto, “The more local music, the better!” OK. That’s not really our motto. But you get it.
Becca Gogue and The Cherokee Revival perform Saturday afternoon at the Shenandoah Riverside Festival at the Brunswick Family Campground. What a beautiful weekend, right? Photo courtesy of Sam Yu.
The Secondhand Ramblers, who you can see and hear above, will be performing tonight at Jo Jo’s Tap House here in Frederick. The festivities kick off at 8 p.m. and no, you won’t want to miss it. For those wondering if Alive @ Five is still going down … well, as of 4:12 p.m. this afternoon, everything appeared to be a go. That said, there’s still about 45 minutes left, and with the rain continuing to come down, who’s to say things can’t change? In brighter news, there is a bevy of live music going down this weekend, including two festivals – the Shenandoah Riverside Festival and the Elk Run Jazz Festival – leading the way. Should the rain continue to come down and you’re forced inside through the weekend, you could always cozy up with our latest podcast, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook. That’s only the worst-case scenario, though. Why? Because you should be getting out to see some live local music! Oh. And Happy Father’s Day.
THURSDAY
Who: Alive @ Five featuring Sticktime
Where: Carroll Creek
When: 5 p.m.
Who: Secondhand Ramblers
Where: Jo Jo’s Tap House
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Dirty Bourbon River Show
Where: The Opera House, Shepherdstown, W.Va.
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Open Mic
Where: Bushwallers
When: Sign-up at 9 p.m., play begins at 10 p.m.
Who: Safe Harbor
Where: Ayse Meze Lounge
When: 6 p.m.
Who: The Beat Jazz Society
Where: The Bentz Street Raw Bar
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Jazz Jam
Where: Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant & Tavern
When: 7:30 p.m.
Who: ClearSpring
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Big Something
Where: Cafe 611
When: 8 p.m.
Who: The Plate Scrapers
Where: The Cellar Door
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Chatham Street
Where: The Hill Chapel
When: 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Who: Shenandoah Riverside Festival in Brunswick, featuring Steph Stewart and the Boyfriends, Circa Blue, Woodshedders, Steal The Prize, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Midnight Spaghetti and The Chocolate G-Strings
Where: Brunswick Family Campground
When: 4:14 p.m.
Who: Tabasco Bustelo
Where: Cafe Nola
When: 9:30 p.m.
Who: Max Honn and Friends
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 7 p.m.
Who: The Groove Adventure Rave featuring Happy Daze, DJ Eikkon, Blak Lotus, J-Milly and DJ Daryl Northrop
Where: Cafe 611
When: 7 p.m.
Who: 19th Street Band
Where: Bushwallers
When: 10 p.m.
Who: Jarekus Singleton
Where: The Opera House, Shepherdstown, W.Va.
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Sundog Ritual
Where: The Cellar Door
When: 10 p.m.
Who: Pete Goodwin, Quasi Flannel
Where: Bentz Street Raw Bar
When: Pete Goodwin – 6 p.m.; Quasi Flannel – 9 p.m.
Who: Rise
Where: Champion Billiards
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Rew Smith
Where: Hard Times Cafe
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Audio Whiplash
Where: Cactus Flats
When: 8:30 p.m.
Who: Freddie Long
Where: The Reunion
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Ethereal
Where: Ayse Meze Lounge
When: 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Who: Shenandoah Riverside Festival in Brunswick, featuring Deer Run Drifters, Split String Soup, Judy Chops, Becca Gogue, Jake and the Burtones, Tumbling Bones, Travelin Hillbillies, Larry Keel Experience, Yarn, Dale and the Z-Dubs, Kelly Bell Band
Where: Brunswick Family Campground
When: 11:45 a.m.
Who: Elk Run Jazz Festival featuring Howard Burns Trio, Ray Jozwiak, Laura Baron, Ronny Smith and Friends
Where: Elk Run Vineyards
When: Noon
Who: Frederick Film Festival Kickoff Event featuring Paul Burch
Where: Brewer’s Alley
When: 8:30 p.m.
Who: Johnstone
Where: Bushwallers
When: Midnight
Who: Joint Effort, Signs Point East, B Side Shuffle
Where: Cafe Nola
When: 9:30 p.m.
Who: Vinyl Rhino
Where: Olde Towne Tavern
When: 10 p.m.
Who: Plank Stompers
Where: The Opera House, Shepherdstown, W.Va.
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Hard Swimmin’ Fish
Where: Jo Jo’s Tap House
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Thrill
Where: Champion Billiards
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Willie Barry and his Chaperones
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Moondog Medicine Show
Where: Hard Times Cafe
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Cyrenic (CD RELEASE PARTY), I-Exist, Coda
Where: Cafe 611
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Jon Jeffries and Keith Corely
Where: The Cellar Door
When: 10 p.m.
Who: Trouble Brewin
Where: Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant & Tavern
When: 8:30 p.m.
Who: Ethereal Jive
Where: The Main Cup
When: 8:30 p.m.
For the 12th episode of the For The Record podcast, I went over to spend an afternoon at Studio 301 with Matt Cramer and Cassandra Mullinix. Aiming to provide a one-stop shop for all things local artists may need – from recordings and professional photography to everything else in between – at an affordable price, Studio 301 is looking to become every local musician’s new best friend. In addition to the songs heard here – songs that, by the way, were recorded at the studio – we sat and discussed a whole bunch of things. Among them:
– What some of the best-kept secrets in Frederick music are.
– The status of Cramer’s band, Matthew Martin and the Restless Weary, and who the current lineup may or may not feature.
– The trials and tribulations of heading into a studio to record for the first time.
– What type of recording gear Cramer likes to use.
– If the art of going to a studio to record has gone by the wayside as the ability to record has become much easier through the years.
– And, of course, what the best place to see live music is, in the City of Frederick.
Anyone interested in checking out what Studio 301 has to offer, check them out on Facebook here or follow them on Twitter here. There’s a whole bunch of great stuff in here, and if you are a local musician and are even remotely interested in stepping into the studio to record a few things, these guys have an operation that you most certainly want to check out. It’s affordable. It’s professional. And most important, it’s local!