posted by Tina on August 19, 2011
How can I put into words the meaning behind the madness that is Band of Horses? After reading review after review….after review….after review….one struggles with originality to describe a show and actually capture the way you felt when you were there. Only people who have been to see them “get it.” When I first heard of the cancellation of the Kings of Leon tour, my heart sank. Just like a large percentage of the people who bought tickets…I was only going because of Band of Horses. However…knowing the band’s background and the type of fellas they are…including management…I hoped that they would find a way to make it happen. And sure enough….my wish came true. See..all good things DO come to those who wait. And thus brings us to the August 10th show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. Not only did they keep their rendezvous with NY…they kept the exact date! And believe me..to be able to book a show on that short of notice at ANY venue in NYC….is practically impossible. Unless you’re Band of Horses!!! To me…that says a lot about the band. The guys mentioned once, in the brief moment I got to meet them at last year’s Grand Central Station secret show that they aren’t really big fans of coming to the city and honestly, I don’t blame them. New York is challenging each and every day. But these guys showed up with smiles on all their faces and more “thank yous” to everyone there than anyone could possibly imagine. They rocked the Hammerstein as if they had waited their whole lives to play there.
Ben Bridwell opened the show with the comment “Look at all you last minute Johnnys!!” Last minute??? Little did they know…some of us had been looking forward to this for months!!!! The whole crowd was literally… “No…thank you for still coming.”
How disappointing for them must it had been when they realized that KOL was going to bail? How can you not love a band that follows through with a tour when the headliner cancels? Where does one even begin to make that happen? I’m guessing that the fans were the first thought in their head and not the money. Of course the money helps to pay the bills and allows them to travel across the world but….it’s evident when Ben speaks to the crowd, that he’s not there because of the money. He’s there because of his passion for music and wanting to make people happy. I’ve seen many many a band in my time, and I have never felt like a band was there for the crowd and not for themselves as much as I do when I see Band of Horses.
If you’ve been following the band for awhile, then you can see the difference in a show just two years ago compared to a show now. Ben Bridwell has turned into this frontman that went from shy and modest to getting right out there, engaging the crowd, leading the band onward into success. The thing that I admire about the band is that every single interview I see, the band is always positive, always excited about what they are doing and eager to talk to the crowd. Even after answering the same questions over and over again, Ben Bridwell always answers with such positive motivation and integrity, you can’t help but admire the guy. When the band is on stage, there is such an exuberant amount of energy in the air that it just rubs off into the crowd. They all literally look like they are having a good time and not “working” the crowd. I feel like I’m in the presence of them practicing in a garage space it’s just that up close and personal. Like they’re there just for you.
Hammerstein’s show was nothing less than what I thought it would be. Outstanding. Surprises. Old songs. New Ones. Jokes made about KOL. At some point in the middle of the show Ben Announced “We’re starting to record the next album…..TOMORROW!!!!” He said it was a bit earlier than planned but that “Our tour got FUCKED!!!” and thus recording began on August 11th. Imagine how excited the crowd was to hear that. I wanted to share that with you all here. The band’s been busy trying not to let their fans down, booking more and more shows. Of course they won’t be able to hit every town or city that missed them…but they are definitely trying their hardest to make it happen. So be patient my little grasshoppers. And if they come CLOSE to your town but not close enough, I implore you, make the drive and go see them. Kings Of Leon cancelling may have been the best thing that ever happened for Band of Horses and because of this effort to keep their commitments, this may excel them to the level of greatness. Not that they aren’t already in my eyes but…..you know what I mean.
» Meaningless labels: Americana • Big Sound • Clever Lyrics • Driven • Male vocal
(13 votes)
Loading ...posted by Loren on August 9, 2011
If Los Angeles is the breeding grounds for pop sensations and resilient sound waves, San Diego is the beautiful stepchild. I’ve spent my last three years among its very own breeding grounds and no place on the map has produced such an eclectic mix of alternative rock quite as well as the people down near the border. Bands such as Jamuel Saxon, Little Hurricane, Jeans Wilder, and Dirty Gold have finally incurred the recognition they deserve. Dan Layus bellowing his infectious vocals among his band Augustana, certainly headline this lineup that warrant the credit and not the credit that places them among a television soundtrack. The band, of course, is best known for their hit single “Boston” but we must all understand that a band cannot be defined by the drop of a name. Living among the cloud that the deviant single created, Augustana has since consistently produced hidden gems and luring tunes that seem to go unnoticed by the music community but kept within the avid fanatics of the band. Another detriment the single “Boston” cemented was a bubble to which the band must perform within and have since fragmented from.
I first saw Augustana play, ironically, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina at the Cat’s Cradle. A perfect intimate set for a band bred for the stage but painstakingly and sometimes undeservedly captured on record. Each EP or album, much like John Mayer, is merely an anecdote of their fullest potential. Since the release of Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt in 2008, the band has increased the southern rock supplement to Layus’ extraordinary voice to manufacture a sound more fitting to their talents. Their newest album, self-titled Augustana, continues the trend with southern guitar riffs and quieted pianos that are fully demonstrated on tracks such as “Steal Your Heart” and “Wrong Side of Love.” Check out the entire album, and spread the word.
Augustana – Steal Your Heart (Downloaded 336 times)
Augustana – Wrong Side of Love (Downloaded 286 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Alt-country • Amazing Voice • Americana • Catchy • Male vocal
(16 votes) Loading ...Wow.
Created the gretaset articles, you have.
I really appreciate free, succinct, reliable data like this.
posted by Tina on May 26, 2011
If you enjoyed our post on Matt Pond a few weeks ago, then you will surely enjoy the music of The Wooden Birds. Matt Pond not only lends his voice but his acoustic guitar sounds to the band. And if that’s not enough talent for you, add other members Andrew Kenny and Leslie Sission. You might recognize Kenny from American Analog Set and also as a touring member of Broken Social Scene. One of my favorite things about listening to a certain band the first time is identifying where the band’s sound comes from. You hear the music, then the vocals kick in and you’re like “Wow… this totally sounds like… [insert name of one of your favorite bands here]… then you realize… IT IS who you thought it was or at least members of who you thought it was. When Artists like Kenny, Pond and Sissen can come together in a collaborative effort and create an album that they themselves are pretty damn proud of and excited about, it’s hard for us as fans not be excited about hearing it and anticipating its release. The Wooden Birds’ first album Magnolia was released in 2009 and set them off on tours through Europe and America, including SXSW and other festivals all across the continent. On June 7th, The Woooden Birds will release their second album… and yes… that’s just a few weeks away. Excited? I am. You can sample the track “Two Matchsticks” below, which is also the title of the album. Make sure you catch them live if you have the chance, as they always pull out a cover of some sort that’s fun for them as well as engaging to the crowd.
The Wooden Birds – Two Matchsticks (Downloaded 628 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Acoustic • Americana • Catchy • Folk
(16 votes) Loading ...posted by Tina on April 29, 2011
Who knew Oklahoma had such a hidden secret? Another band I was fortunate enough to hear at SXSW was Other Lives. Off the beaten path of venue after venue, a friend recommended to come and hear them. Not having to travel too far, the band hails from Stillwater, Oklahoma. I’m guessing that Other Lives isn’t the only well kept secret from that great ole state, but this is whom I will be looking out for to come to my town next. Perfect timing as the band comes out with their second album May 10th, titled Tamer Animals. The strings, the piano and the horns go beautifully with frontman Jesse Tabish’s voice. This is a band that you would love to hear in a smaller venue so that you can really appreciate what Other Lives brings to the table in the music world. You will take away with you the satisfaction of knowing how hard this band works to create their specific sound. I implore you to check out bands that come out of the woodwork from smaller towns. It’s in states like Oklahoma that you find the hidden gems that no one knows about. Yet. And I’d like to think that Indieball helped you out along the way.
Other Lives – For Twelve (Downloaded 983 times)
Other Lives – Speed Tape (Downloaded 581 times)
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» Meaningless labels: Americana • Catchy • Folk
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August 27th, 2011 at 7:16 am
i love your blog, i have it in my rss reader and always like new things coming up from it.
September 1st, 2011 at 5:20 am
Howdy, make sure you tell us when we’ll see a follow up.
September 1st, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Thanks so much. We really appreicate the feedback!