Author Archives: Allie Mack

TVD Live: Treasure Island Music Festival, 10/16

By Allie Mack | Published: October 20, 2016

PHOTOS: REEVES PEELER | In its tenth and final year on Treasure Island, the Treasure Island Music Festival redefined my understanding of “agoraphobia.” Weather, location, communication and transportation were all stacked against Treasure Island, and I wasn’t the only Sunday festival-goer looking for a marginally convincing reason to stay in my pajamas. Yet somehow, on Sunday night I boarded a packed tour bus—cold, wet and dirty—with a big smile that reflected confidence in my decision to have made the trek.

This year, the festival had to move from one end of the island to the other, eliminating the insane city view that so many festival-goers hope to Instagram (a new location that festival organizers spun as offering “picturesque views of Oakland”). Rain and high winds set the tone for the entire weekend, forcing major festival draws like How to Dress Well and Ice Cube to play much-abbreviated sets, and bands on both days, including Flight Facilities and James Blake, to cancel their sets altogether.

Weekend ticket holders took to social media in droves demanding refunds after Saturday’s weather-induced fiasco (which apparently included a vending machine injury). But Sunday was a slight redemption for Treasure Island, as the crowd adjusted its expectations, adapted to the environment, and hunkered down on a mission to enjoy day two.

Car Seat Headrest was the start to my Sunday on Treasure Island. Admittedly not an objective review, this was my fourth Car Seat show since they played The Independent in January 2016. Each time I’ve seen Will Toledo and his band play, I catch something new that keeps me coming back for the next show. It’s the type of set that forces you to focus on one band member at a time, exposing something real about each musician in the context of a stunningly cohesive set.

Posted in TVD San Francisco | Leave a comment

TVD Recommends:
Glass Animals at U St. Music Hall, 7/8

By Allie Mack | Published: July 2, 2014

Glass Animals is a four-piece indie band out of Oxford, England that bridges the gap among experimental rock, R&B, and electronic music. Their songs rely on rich, breathy vocals, heavy bass, flirtatious electronics, and layers of tropical-sounding percussion–and the result is both sensual and soulful.

The band makes its way to DC’s U Street Music Hall next Tuesday night to promote their debut album, ZABA. If you’re a music fan who checks in here at TVD with any frequency, you won’t want to miss this show.

According to Glass Animals’ publicists, their first headlining U.S. tour is almost completely sold out. And despite releasing their first full-length album less than two months ago, this doesn’t surprise me at all.

Posted in TVD Washington, DC | Leave a comment

Blank Range: The TVD Q&A at Schubas Tavern

By Allie Mack | Published: June 5, 2014

PHOTOS: SARAH DERER | Blank Range is a five-piece rock n’ roll band out of Nashville. And while you can probably get a sense of their “sound” from that statement alone, each member brings a diverse set of influences to the table, putting their own memorable stamp on a tried and true formula.

For a band that’s only self-released a cassette and a 7”, Blank Range has attracted a lot of attention. The group won BMI’s Road to Bonnaroo competition in February, making them the first band announced for the festival’s 2014 installment. They were guests on Daytrotter back in November, and, as of April, are the latest addition to The Billions Corporation’s roster of artists. All this recognition has helped them accumulate a notable following in and around their home state of Tennessee, with a burgeoning national fan base set to see Blank Range on their first official tour.

Band members Jonathan Childers (guitar/vocals), Grant Gustafson (guitar/vocals), Jon Rainville (keyboard/vocals), Matt Novotny (drums/vocals) and Aaron Wahlman (bass/vocals) all hail from the Midwest, and despite their home base in Nashville, agree that “regional” or “Southern” rock isn’t an appropriate classification. They’ve shared the stage with Southern rockers Futurebirds and Southern-inspired rockers Blitzen Trapper, but the group has a sound all its own—driven, in equal measure, by each member’s unique musical aesthetic.

Posted in TVD Chicago | Leave a comment

Houndmouth:
The TVD Interview

By Allie Mack | Published: August 1, 2012

Recently signed to Rough Trade Records, New Albany, Indiana’s Houndmouth plays rootsy American rock that sounds just as great live as it does on record. Less than a year old, the foursome will debut their natural vocal harmonies and raw instrumentation on the group’s first EP, eponymously titled and out August 27 (Europe) and 28 (U.S.).

After a memorable live show on Friday night at Forecastle X, I sat down with Houndmouth to ask hard-hitting questions about everything from their favorite fashion trends to favorite fast food restaurants. We also discussed their upcoming EP release and the exciting road ahead.

What is the first record you ever owned?

Katie: I got my parents collection. My dad is a great guitar and harmonica player, so predictably I got a lot of Eric Clapton and some Paul Butterfield.

Zak: Yeah, I got my parents records as well. But the first one I ever purchased was a Grand Funk Railroad album. I can’t remember which one it was though.

Matt: Steve Martin’s, Wild and Crazy Guy. That guy is awesome.

Shane: My dad had a big collection; in fact he still owns it – it pretty much takes up the whole closet in our basement. So I got into some Jimi Hendrix stuff when I was about 12 or 13 or so.

Posted in TVD Chicago | 1 Comment

TVD Live: The Forecastle Festival 2012

By Allie Mack | Published: July 23, 2012

After attending Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Coachella and several iterations of Lollapalooza and Pitchfork, it is Louisville’s Forecastle that has been my most enjoyable total festival experience, to date.

Forecastle began in 2002 as a free summer festival built to celebrate and support Louisville’s music community. For its tenth anniversary, Forecastle’s production team joined forces with AC Entertainment – which produces Bonnaroo and Moogfest – to create a higher-profile experience curated by Louisville legend, My Morning Jacket.

In its second year at Waterfront Park, the location offered incredible sunsets over the Ohio River, and lush scenery that made it easy to relax. For me, this was also one of few festivals in recent memory with a high ratio of “bands to see.” And despite sharing the experience with friends wanting to balance their Americana with EDM, the festival’s size and layout made it easy to separate and meet up. As an aside, the Kentucky bourbon-tasting tent was a most convenient meeting point between shows. Cell phone service was also a plus.

On Friday, shows started after 5 p.m. with Tanlines. They played in full daylight, in front of a mediocre light set (reminiscent of Hasbro’s light-bright), and under a freeway. Needless to say, this was not the best set-up for these two. They made light of the situation though, giving the audience some of the humor on-stage that has made them famous on Twitter. We didn’t stay to finish their set, but I don’t think they would blame us. They seemed to be using the time to warm up for their after show (on a steamboat). Which I’m sure was amazing.