Seattle – While the rain kept the masses from coming out Wednesday night, those who did brave the downpour were treated to a night of acid rock, psychedelic pop and dream wave by local bands Low Hums, The Soft Hills, and Ephrata (Shown Above) at Tractor Tavern in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Low Hums (Below) opened
Chicago – Did someone say free beer? Ummm, yes! This past Saturday the Hideout was packed with plenty of music and 312 beer lovers. The Goose Island Brewing Company was one of the many sponsors giving out free goodies for the Hideout’s Annual SXSW Send Off Show that helps raise money for local bands’ traveling
Nashville - For those of you who have never been to Rocketown in Nashville, TN, let me give you a little tidbit of information: there are two buildings. That will save you from looking like an out-of-town moron, which is exactly how I came across as I wandered around the main building for ten minutes unsure
Portland – The first time I saw Real Estate was in 2010. The group was opening for Deerhunter in Portland, touring in support of their first major effort, Real Estate, out a year earlier on Woodsist. Although the album was released to substantial critical acclaim, it had completely missed the mark with me. At the
Seattle – Every now and then, a band comes along to remind us why we fell in love with good old-fashioned rock and roll. On Wednesday night, those at The Crocodile in Seattle were treated to two such bands, with echoes of Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, and The Band. True to their Texas roots, Austin’s
Chicago – On a reasonably mild winter night, rapper Probcause took the stage smiling ear to ear. Perhaps it was his warm demeanor keeping the cold at bay because his happiness and enthusiasm could be felt throughout the room. He told the packed house the last six months have been the best of his
Nashville – Americana fanatics will be excited to know (if they didn’t already) that Shovels & Rope and Hurray for the Riff Raff are teaming up for a mini tour through the southeast. Both bands make daring, raucous music that befits the kickass women who lead them. We saw their show in Nashville at
Austin – Appearing on stage as a frat boy in a fedora and a slender gentleman in newsboy cap, the singer and drummer of the band Augustines (respectively known as Billy McCarthy and Rob Allen) were an instantly endearing duo. Typically a three-piece ensemble, the death of guitarist Eric Sanderson’s father turned what would otherwise
Nashville – It is always so refreshing when a band or artist picks a name that truly evokes a vision that relates entirely to the sort of music they play. When I first heard the name New Madrid, what came to mind was a mysterious, European country landscape in the early morning. Fog would be
New York – Cat Casual and The Other Lovers kicked off the night, with a classic rock n’ roll noir sound that could easily be on a soundtrack to a Jim Jarmush film. It doesn’t’ hurt that frontman and songwriter William Benton is a dead ringer for Tom Waits in Down by Law – which