Author Archives: Amber Patrick

Word on the street is that there’s a new music festival in town. I know what you’re thinking. “Another music festival? Whatever.” Well, lay that thought to the side because Bunbury Music Festival, hosted by the great city of Cincinnati, isn’t just another music festival. 

Boasting a lineup that is pretty impressive for an inaugural year, the festival is about to take place this upcoming weekend. Over here at TVD we thought, what better way to get you jazzed up for it than to introduce you to some of the acts that will be gracing its six stages?

Our first featured act to feast your ears upon is a local from Cleveland. The band is none other than Humble Home, a four-piece that comprises Nick Wise (vocals/guitar), Matt Hectorne (guitar/backup vocals), Jeff Sutton (bass/omnichord), and Anthony Foti (drums). These guys have been gaining speed and evolving their sound quite steadily. The first time my ears caught them, they were doing something far more conservative and quiet at the Grog Shop. I knew then they were a band to watch because they had this quiet power that seeped in slowly. The second time I heard them, they were performing an acoustic set at Brite Winter Fest. That set didn’t lack anything—save for amps, of course—but it was my most recent encounter with the band at Weapons of Mass Creation Fest that blew my hair back as the boys came at the crowd strong with a heavy dose of brazen rock.

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Whew. We’ve made it through another week, Cleveland. It was a sweltering one, but thankfully, the air conditioning kept us going. At least until we see our utility bills, right? Regardless, it’s time to get out there and take the edge off. Luckily for you, Cleveland’s serving you up a busy weekend filled with lots of great music! 

Where will you catch us this weekend in Cleveland? Well, we’ll be at the Grog Shop for Japandroids, of course. With or without the vowels, Japandroids (JPNDRDS) is a two-piece band that’s going to deliver you the sound of a five-piece. File them into the garage rock genre, if you have to, but acknowledge that this band calls their sound “post-nothing”. They’ve also got a killer album out by that name. They’re on tour now in support of Celebration Rock, the hard-hitting follow-up to 2009’s Post-Nothing.

If you’re looking for some excitement and you want to see if two guys can put out enough sound to deliver it, get yourself to the Grog Shop, too. If this isn’t your sound, Cleveland’s got plenty of other shows to hit up this weekend. Go out, have fun & remember to tip your bartenders!

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North Carolina’s Bowerbirds, comprising Phil Moore, Beth Tacular, and Mark Paulson, is a folk trio with an honest and soul-engaging sound. I had the opportunity to talk to Phil about the band, his background, and how the ‘birds took flight. 

Can you tell me a little bit about what drew you to music?
My folks bought me a guitar at a very young age and my sister was already writing songs about a little dog named Spot, and things like that. I just kind of got into the idea of playing folk songs like Bob Dylan.

How did you begin playing with Mark?
I started playing with Mark in sixth grade. He was my friend from way back in grade school. We just thought it’d be cool to play music like Guns ‘n Roses and Metallica and Van Halen. So we started a band with our other friend, Wes. It was really different.

That’s awfully different from what you’re doing currently.
Yeah, I guess for me I can see the path that I went on with hardcore as well, but I can see from an outside perspective how it wouldn’t make much sense. But we got into punk rock, prog rock, …we grew up in a really small town that had an amazing college and we learned a lot of what we learned from playing shows at the college when we were in high school. There were all sorts of groups—hip hop stuff and funk groups and straight rock—that was our schooling.

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If you’re bummed you’re not at Bonnaroo this weekend, never fear! Cleveland has something magical of its own: Weapons of Mass Creation Fest.

Weapons of Mass Creation Fest began in 2010 by Jeff Finley, co-owner of Go Media, who wanted to bring creative people, such as musicians and artists, from all over the nation to Cleveland to showcase what the city has to offer and allow its attendees the opportunity to collaborate with one another. The first year showcased film, graphic design, and music. This year’s Fest features twenty speakers, twenty designers, and over thirty bands. The Fest is coordinated by founder Jeff Finley, Jesse Sloan, and Joseph Hughes.

This year’s bands will be performing at Saigon Plaza, which boasts twenty foot ceilings and wooden floors. There will be two stages—one outside of Saigon Plaza and one inside. We had an opportunity to speak with Jesse Sloan, the music coordinator for Weapons of Mass Creation Fest. Here’s a little head’s up on how things happen and who he thinks you shouldn’t miss.

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Here it is: the first weekend in June. Things are starting to heat up, the pool’s open, and you’re jonesin’ for some fun. Pull yourself out of the pool—you’re looking a little pruney—and get to a show! What’s our suggestion? 

Well, what could be better than celebrating the triumphant return of DJ Jonathan Toubin to the Beachland Tavern? Last year, Toubin was involved in a freak accident that left him hospitalized after a taxi ran through his hotel room wall and hit him. Countless venues across the country held benefits for him, including Cleveland’s Beachland Ballroom & Tavern. Thankfully, Toubin has made a full recovery and is taking his show on the road again.

So, let’s get out there and celebrate! Or if partying with DJ Jonathan Toubin isn’t your cup of tea, there’s plenty of other things happening in Cleveland this weekend. Here’s the best of the rest:

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Montreal’s Plants and Animals have been around for a long time. Ten years, to be precise.

In that time, they’ve released an EP and four full-length albums, the most recent released in February of this year. This newest album, The End of That, was written with the idea of keeping the sound pared down, more natural and free of over-processing.

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with drummer Matthew “Woody” Woodley in anticipation of the band’s visit to Cleveland. Get to know the band a bit, and if you’re in Cleveland tonight, head out to the Beachland Tavern for their show.

Was there a record from when you were growing up that had a major impact on how you listened to music?

Hmmn… that’s a good question. Yes, of course. I discovered music growing up, and it probably had one of the most profound effects on me. I don’t know, when you find a record that you listen to over and over and over again, you like it because it connects with you, connects with what’s going on in your life. Maybe that’s better than listening to the timbre of John Coltrane’s saxophone.

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Last Friday night at the Winchester, which may be Cleveland’s best kept secret music hall, Pearl and the Beard captivated the audience with an enormous sound that surprisingly comes from just three people. The Brooklyn natives are currently touring the US before crossing the pond in June to play the Dot to Dot Music Festival. 

The evening was started by Mark Sherepita, a comedic country-western tinged troubadour adorned in a guitar and harmonica. His music juxtaposed comedy with the smooth delivery of a true performer. Perhaps the most comedic piece by Sherepita was about a Viking woman.

He prefaced it with, “Speaking of love, most of the songs I write are about love…” and then began a tune that spoke of his wife as a Viking woman who “comes up all night with all her might/ to rape and pillage me.” This song had the audience laughing just as much as the rest, but to the trained musician, you could pick up the hint of Wagner’s music that was sampled. I thought that was particularly clever.

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Reggie Watts, who calls himself a “disinformationalist,” loves to disorientate his audience by combining a unique blend of stream-of-conscious comedy with music.

He’s unpredictable, and you probably won’t know what to expect, but you’re in good company, because he doesn’t know what’s going to happen either. Feeding off of the crowd’s energy, Watts is known for creating an improvised set using two tools: a looping machine and his voice.

Watts has received love from the nation’s big wigs—we’re talking SPIN, Rolling Stone, and Conan O’Brien, to name a few. He’s slated to perform at this year’s Bonnaroo Festival. Hell, he’s kicking off his national tour tonight in Chicago, but we think you really ought to catch him in Cleveland tomorrow night when he comes to the Grog Shop.

In fact, we believe in this endeavor so much that we’ve snagged you a pair of tickets to see him. All you’ve got to do is leave a comment and tell us why you need to be there. We’ll let one winner know by 4pm tomorrow!

Second weekend in May and you need ideas on where the music’s at, right? Cleveland’s brimming with possibilities and unlike our sports teams, our musicians always deliver. If you’re a college student you probably just wrapped up finals week and you need a little music to unwind. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered, too.

We’re going to tip our hats to some visiting musicians from New York as our featured show for the weekend. Just a little band by the name of Pearl and the Beard.

Alright, little is an understatement. This three-piece is quickly gaining speed as they tour the United States, spilling forth soul-filled tunes that exude such brilliance and hope. Tonight they’ll be playing at The Winchester in Lakewood. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, OR if you’re a student and you’ve got a valid ID, just $8! Don’t miss out on this band! They’re the perfect way to kick of summer vacation.

Here’s the best of the rest for the weekend:

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I’ve been itching to catch The Damn Choir and Paper Thick Walls on the same bill in their hometown of Chicago since first hearing both, and last Friday I had just that unique opportunity as the bands were billed together in celebration of the release of The Damn Choir’s sophomore album. They we joined by Boston band Kingsley Flood.

The show took place at The Hideout, a small gem of a venue that is aptly hidden amongst a bunch of buildings. I walked in the back door with the bands for soundcheck and was greeted with a ceiling full of twinkling lights and a venue that’s probably about the same size as Cleveland’s Beachland Tavern.Venues of this size allow the crowd a certain level of intimacy with the performers; they allow you to feel a part of what’s happening onstage, rather than just an onlooker sitting or standing far off into the distance.

As Boston’s six-piece barnburnin’ band Kingsley Flood took the stage, people swarmed inside as moths drawn to flame. I can’t blame them. I had taken my usual spot towards the middle of the room, but found myself inching closer as frontman Naseem Khuri drew us in with his nuanced performance.

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In which we introduce a recurring feature here at TVD where Clevelanders, you have an opportunity to win free tickets right in your own backyard. —Ed.

Good day, guys and dolls! Have we got a treat for you. This Thursday, the Grog Shop is hosting a show featuring three great bands: Cursive, Cymbals Eat Guitars, and Conduits! We want to see YOU there so we’re giving away a pair of tickets to the show and a copy of Conduits’ new self-titled album. 

I know, I know, you can barely contain yourself right now. It’s completely understandable. What could be better than free tickets to this great show at the Grog Shop AND a free album? Not much.

I mean, look at that lineup. Cursive is touring in promotion of their new album, I Am Gemini, a tale of twins separated at birth who are reunited. Of course, the catch is that one twin is evil and one is good. In this concept album, Cursive dabbles in painting the tale of the two brothers through the nuanced lyricism of Tim Kasher and the hard-hitting guitars and breakneck rhythm changes for which the band is known.

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As many of you make the trek to SXSW or follow along diligently from your couch, I find it necessary to tell you a little bit about a band from Cleveland who is making waves as they travel to Austin.

Allow me to formally introduce you to The Lighthouse and The Whaler, a band comprising five good guys with a lot of love in their hearts, some guitars, a mandolin, a keyboard, a glockenspiel, some violins, drums, and an undeniable energy that courses through their live performance, extending far out into the crowd.

The Lighthouse and The Whaler is Michael LoPresti (lead vocals / guitar / keyboard), Matthew LoPresti (percussion), Aaron Smith (violin / guitar / keyboard), Mark Porostosky (mandolin / guitar / keyboard / glockenspiel / vocals), and Steve Diaz (percussion / guitar). Each member of this band floats effortlessly between multiple instruments, showing true musicianship and dexterity that is unmatched by any band I’ve encountered.

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It has always been important to me to find music that speaks to human emotion. When I first happened across Seattle’s The Head and The Heart last year, I remember feeling awakened. Their debut self-titled album touched me in such a profound way that it has become a daily listen.

Thankfully, I got to see them perform at the Beachland Ballroom last year. Very few music experiences have moved me as much as that one, so to me it was very important to chat with a member of the band and get to know the person behind these songs that have had such a huge impact on me.

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The stage was set for an interesting night last Sunday as people milled about, filling the dark corners of Cleveland’s Grog Shop in anticipation of Atlas Sound.

Who’s to say if these people were there because they love Deerhunter or if they were there to witness Deerhunter’s frontman, Bradford Cox, as he performed under his solo moniker of Atlas Sound. It doesn’t matter either way. What matters is that as soon the gaunt, towering form of Cox took the stage, all chatter stopped, and the crowd stood in awe as one man changed our lives with a few guitars, a bass, a drumset, and a smattering of pedals.

The first thing I’ll tell you about Atlas Sound is that his records cannot do his sound justice. You cannot capture his essence and truly experience it without a live performance. To hear it live is to hear it with a new set of ears. In live performance, you will be swirled around within the sound, carried on the air, and delivered to some plane of existence where the world is calm and people can just be. It’s a transcendental experience, the kind that stirs change within your soul and makes you reach towards a life you had discarded as frivolous. In summation, it’s awe-inspiring.

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There’s this certain feel to a sold out-show. A nervous energy, if you will. You can feel all the bodies sardined together rustling with kinetic energy, ready to explode when the bands take the stage. Last Sunday’s Young the Giant/Walk the Moon show at the Beachland Ballroom was no exception. 

The stage goes pitch black, and the room gets quiet. We wait together in anticipation, our breaths aligning. The lights slowly rise, and the five gentleman of Young the Giant take the stage. Our ears meet the opening chords of the tune “I Got,” and vocalist Sameer Gadhia takes the mic as the lights rise and nearly blind the crowd.

Young the Giant has that laid-back feel you’d expect from a band from California. Theirs is a sound fueled by beachy guitars, steady bass, and set work that is laced in delicious cymbals. Vocalist Gadhia is a tour de force, shifting easily through his vocal range. His veins pop on the side of his neck, and he spins into an explosive dance frenzy; I was left waiting for that tambourine to explode like a dandelion head, tiny gold circles chiming to the ground.

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