[RH Review] Elsinore @ Subterranean (Chicago,IL)
I have been looking forward to seeing Elsinore live pretty much since the final notes of the last set I saw them perform -- but especially since they released their new album, PUSH/PULL on October 8. And I am happy to report that their set at Subterranean on Friday night surpassed my expectations by far. Brighton, MA opened the show with a laid-back, old-fashioned rock and roll sound that emanated a strong, but less obviously-catchy Strokes vibe. Their energy grew as they played through their set, getting everybody pumped for the following acts, including Chicago natives, Hemmingbirds, who tried to keep Halloween alive with a cover of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," and a fast paced pop-rock set.
There were a few things I was curious to see from Elsinore at this show: their new line-up (they gained a new bass player and drummer since the last time I saw them) and the killer five-piece brass section they'd brought to Chicago, including two trumpets, tenor sax, baritone sax, and trombone. They started the set with "The Art Of Pulling," the first track off of the new album. This song is genius. It sets up the entire album with a fresh, poppy sound that is lyrically enticing and brilliant, but not too showy, and this is just the first song. The whole album is awesome from start to finish -- a fact that the crowd got to witness. Elsinore played PUSH/PULL in its entirety, mixing in oldies and goodies along the way, including "Lines" off of their full-length record, 2010's "YES YES YES," as well the title track from their EP, Chemicals, which is one of my favorites.
I was particularly excited to hear the new version of "Ultraviolence" live. The tune's rebirth on PUSH/PULL has such a different sound than the original recording, trading out elegant strings for an energized and upbeat spin that, to my surprise, I love equally as much. Though I suppose it's not too surprising, as I am fairly certain I couldn't resist anything that Ryan Groff writes or sings. His simply gorgeous voice enslaves, leaving listeners hanging on his every word, with what seems like little to no effort. Seriously, it makes you want to pull an Ursala on him and wear his voice in a shell around your neck (creepy and true). And it's refreshing to watch a singer who can play just as well as he sings. On lead guitar, Groff owns his instrument. The band matched Groff's energy well. With heavy, buzzy, and precise bass playing from Brad Threlkeld and spot-on drums from James Treichler, the new rhythm section was tight as can be. Founding member Mark Woolwine held it all together on the keys, adding layers of sound and harmonies with his Nord Electro, and funky synthy riffs on his Mini-Korg. The transitions between songs were impeccably smooth. Even when Groff busted a guitar string and switched out guitars, just before they slid into "Life Inside An Elephant," the closing track on PUSH/PULL, it all seemed like part of the plan and the perfect ending to an amazing set.
Clearly, I could go on and on for days about how fantastic Elsinore is, but ain't nobody got time for that. If you haven't listened to Elsinore yet, do yourself a favor and check out "The Art Of Pulling," along with the rest of their album, merch, and tour dates here.
[RH Review] of Montreal @ Lincoln Hall 10/30
The rain didn't stop anyone from making it over to the sold out show at Lincoln Hall last night to see of Montreal turn it out Halloween Eve-style, with the grooviest set I've seen in a while. Lincoln Hall was packed to the brim with fans decked out in costumes and ready to dance, hoping to hear their favorites and some new tracks from of Montreal's latest record, Lousy With Sylvianbriar, for the first time.
The show kicked off with a man dressed Nacho Libre giving an appropriately creepy and energized introduction for Kevin Barnes. Barnes hit the stage in a vintage 60s two-piece pant suit, thanking everyone for coming and jumping into "Triumph Of Disintegration," followed by the first track off the new record "Fugitive Air." The band was accompanied by stage dancers who came out in full white body suits, catching psychedelic projections on their bodies, and eventually diving into the crowd, surfing their way to the back of the venue. They brought the whacky down a bit for "Raindrop In My Skull," another new track from Lousy, sung by the beautiful Rebecca Cash. Her spooky sensuous voice entranced the crowd adding a mysterious and enticing vibe to the set. But my favorite part was probably the fact that they played a ton of songs off Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer including "Suffer For Fashion," "Heimdalsgate like a Promethean Curse," and "Gronlandic Exit," with an a capella introduction from the crowd singing the funky synth part under Barnes's vocals.
The show was a perfect way to start off the Halloween weekend, but the tour continues. Don't miss your chance to see of Montreal live, and check out their new music video for "Fugitive Air."
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[RH Interview] Ezra Furman
Chicago native Ezra Furman broke out on the indie-rock scene back in 2006 by fronting Ezra Furman and The Harpoons, making waves and records that brought his unusual voice and rock and roll songs to the people. Now he is back with a brand new record. Day Of The Dog, which he recorded with his band, The Boy-Friends. Day Of The Dog brings out a new side to Furman’s sound, which seems to have matured with every album. The record has an overall eclectic and manic feeling, though each song is thoroughly developed, leaving listeners fully satisfied with every track. I got to sit down with Ezra and pick his brain about the new record, tour, and The Boy-Friends. Read along and get to know Ezra Furman.
Brynn: What are some of your goals for the new record, Day Of The Dog?
Ezra: I got very vague about goals because they never helped me in the past. Non-artistic goals make me feel stressed out and disappointed. I just really wanted to put out a good record; that is what I worried about, and then it turned out good. (laughs)
Brynn: For your debut solo album, The Year Of No Returning, you had a running theme where each song represented a month of the year. Was there any driving theme or idea that fueled this record?
Ezra: The main idea was for it to be more manic; the last one was a little bit more depressive. I wanted this to be a manic affair. It is kind of the other side of the psychic coin.
Brynn: What were you listening to when you wrote the record?
Ezra: A lot of Howling Wolf and old things on test records with a lot of saxophone solos.
Brynn: I really appreciated all the saxophone solos on your album. What made you decide to incorporate that instrument into the mix?
Ezra: I guess we are just… I say “we” as in general fans of music… are sick of the guitar solo. Now every band has a guitar player in it that takes a lot of solos, but before, it seemed like there was a sax player in every rock and roll band that took wild solos. I was just looking for new avenues of mania. I wanted insanity.
Brynn: My favorite song on the album so far is “My Zero.” Can you elaborate on the meaning of the song?
Ezra: It comes from running, running around, running away. Many musicians will tell you a homeless feeling is developed, so it’s a song about that homeless and traveling feeling.
Brynn: Did you write in on the road?
Ezra: No, I wrote it at home, but I had just moved to another new place, another new home, and it’s like I’m setting up my tent and building my fire here now.
[Video] of Montreal: "Fugitive Air"
of Montreal's new record, Lousy with Sylvianbriar, has received two thumbs up from critics and fans. The band is known for their ever-changing experimental pop-rock sound that evolves with every record, keeping things funky and fresh for all of their fans. They recently put out the music video for "Fugitive Air," the first track off the new record.
Check out the video below, and if you're lucky, you can win free tickets to see of Montreal live! Go here to learn more about the contest and your chance to win!
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Fun Fun Fun Fest Releases FFF Nites and Full Fest Schedule
The fun fun fun is coming! Fun Fun Fun Fest released the FFF Nites and full fest schedule, along with the FFF Fest app that is now available on iTunes and Android. The app includes a custom show scheduler, interactive festival map and push notifications with fest news.
With the purchase of your FFF ticket you can experience all of the awesomeness throughout Austin because with your ticket the nightly after shows are free! The FFF Nites lineup features artists only playing Nites as well as additional performances from acts also playing the festival, including Sarah Silverman, Tenacious D, Misfits, RJD2, Bonobo, Scott Reynolds (of ALL), Del the Funky Homosapien, and many more. FFF Nites kicks off Thursday, November 7 and will continue through Sunday, November 10, at venues around Austin including Mohawk, Red 7, ND, The Belmont, Holy Mountain, the Paramount Theatre and more.
Check out the full Nites schedule below and for more information on weekend passes, single day passes and USP passes, visit our fun fun fun friends here.
2013 FFF NITES SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, NOV 7
MOHAWK (Outside): ROGER SELLERS, THE TONTONS, KURT VILE
MOHAWK (Inside): DANA FALCONBERRY, LEOPOLD AND HIS FICTION
RED 7 (Outside): ((SOUNDER)), BLAKE SCHWARZENBACH
RED 7 (Inside): OBN III'S, THE BLIND SHAKE
BEERLAND: NIGHT SLAVES, CROOKED BANGS, POP 1280
HOLY MOUNTAIN: PUSHMEN, BOYFRNDZ, CODE ORANGE KIDS, TITLE FIGHT
THE PARISH: BOOMBAPTIST, RJD2
FRIDAY, NOV 8
MOHAWK (Outside): WHITE LUNG, SUBHUMANS
MOHAWK (Inside): Special Guests TBA
RED 7 (Outside): PHANTOM LAKES, COLISEUM, TRUE WIDOW, PELICAN
RED 7 (Inside): THE YOUNG, MERCHANDISE, LEMURIA, CHELSEA LIGHT MOVING
ELYSIUM: LOST IN SOCIETY, THE ATTACK, MISFITS
BEERLAND: SMALL BLACK
HOLY MOUNTAIN (Outside): RATKING, THE UNDERACHIEVERS
HOLY MOUNTAIN (Inside): KOSHA DILLZ, FAT TONY, ANTWON
PARISH: ORTHY, BAGHEERA, POOLSIDE
ND: BOOHER, QUASI, MAC DEMARCO
THE BELMONT (Outside): LARRY GUS, STAR SLINGER, BRONZE WHALE
THE BELMONT (Inside): BOB MOULD (DJ SET)
NEW MOVEMENT: DOUG MELLARD, KYLE KINANE
HOTEL VEGAS: MIRROR TRAVEL, HOLY WAVE, BLUES CONTROL, CHRISTIAN BLAND AND THE REVELATORS
SATURDAY, NOV 9
ACL LIVE: SPECIAL GUESTS, MAKING TIME DJ'S, SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO (DJ SET)
MOHAWK (Outside): MATT BEARDEN, JENNY SLATE, CRAIG ROBINSON, TENACIOUS D
MOHAWK (Inside): THE KARAOKE UNDERGROUND
RED 7 (Outside): LATASHA LEE & THE BLACKTIES, BROWNOUT, LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS
RED 7 (Inside): SOUL CLAP & DANCE-OFF W/ DJ JONATHAN TOUBIN
BEERLAND: DRAKULAS, AUDACITY, SCOTT REYNOLDS (ALL), THE LAST (MEMBERS OF DESCENDENTS)
HOLY MOUNTAIN (Inside): REGENTS, COLISEUM, NARROWS, RETOX
HOLY MOUNTAIN (Outside): CEREMONY, CRO-MAGS
HOTEL VEGAS: EAGLE CLAW, YAKUZA, INTER ARMA, BLACK TUSK
EMPIRE CONTROL ROOM: DARK ROOM, BIG BLACK DELTA, CHET FAKER
ND: SAINT RICH, HUNTERS, BLEACHED, THE MEN
THE BELMONT (Inside): TONY TRIMM (DJ SET), DJ ABILITIES, SERENGETI, JEL
THE BELMONT (Outside): BODEGA, FLATBUSH ZOMBIES, DEL THE FUNKY HOMOSAPIEN
NEW MOVEMENT: ALTERCATION PUNK ROCK COMEDY HOUR
SUNDAY, NOV 10
THE PARAMOUNT: KYLE DUNNIGAN, DOUG BENSON, SARAH SILVERMAN
MOHAWK (Inside): JMSN, CAYUCAS
RED 7 (Inside): NIK TURNER'S HAWKWIND
HOLY MOUNTAIN: ILLUSTRATIONS, BEARTOOTH, DEFEATER
PARISH: BONOBO (DJ set)
HOTEL VEGAS: THE IMPOSSIBLES
[Album] Elsinore: PUSH/PULL
With undeniable talent and brilliant songwriting, Elsinore reigns triumphant with their new full-length record PUSH/PULL. From the cornfield college towns of Champaign/Urbana Illinois, their sound is everything but small potatoes. These guys are doing everything right and I couldn't be more excited and impressed with their new record.
The tragically beautiful lyrics and haunting melodies paint a portrait of love, loss, and life in the Midwest. Ryan Groff's unique and lovely Freddy Mercury-esque voice enchants you, bringing vocals with true heart and conviction. Elsinore chose to re-record the title track and a couple more songs from their Life Inside an Elephant EP. All of the recreations are a success, putting an upbeat spin on "The Thermostat," and giving you a chance to fall in love with "Ultraviolence" all over again, with an electronic Death Cab-ish vibe, killer backbeat and wailing chorus. Their single off the record, "The Art Of Pulling," is the perfect introduction to the album, presenting a fun, poppy, but well-written track. Give it a listen below and check out the rest of the brand new album, merch, and upcoming shows for Elsinore here.
Sarah Silverman Added to 2013 Fun Fun Fun Fest Comedy Lineup
This year's eighth annual Fun Fun Fun Fest will feature some of the world's top comedians on the JASH Yellow Comedy Stage, Nov. 8-10 in Austin, TX. Sarah Silverman has just been added to the killer lineup which includes performances by Tenacious D, Patton Oswalt, Craig Robinson, Rob Delaney, Doug Benson, and Jenny Slate.
Silverman is scheduled to perform Friday evening as part of the FFF Nites program at the State Theatre, and on Sunday, Nov. 10th on the festival grounds. Silverman is co-creator of the JASH network, which includes other comedic masters Michael Cera, Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim and Reggie Watts.
The fest also has a phenomenal music lineup which includes Snoop Dogg, M.I.A., Slayer, The Walkmen, Flag, and many many more. Check out the full line-up and more information on tickets, weekend passes, single day tickets and USP passes here.
[Album] of Montreal: "Lousy With Sylvianbriar"
Of Montreal completely re-invents their sound with each record and with a completely different approach to songwriting, recording, and a fresh band, their success continues with "Lousy With Sylvianbriar." The album brings out a new funky freshness in their sound that you didn't see coming (how much more funky can they get?) and will please long-time fans, though I think it is their most welcoming album for new listeners.
Recorded on a 24-track tape deck in a home studio, the album captures the vintage 60s/70s sound that of Montreal executes perfectly, with bangers like "Fugitive Air," and "She Ain't Speakin' Now." Kevin Barnes brings his usual genius song writing to the table, but with a new sense of intimacy that only accentuates his unique style. With haunting and sensuous vocals from Rebecca Cash and a tight and groovy band, Lousy is truly great. The album is out today via Polyvinyl Records and can be found here.
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