Live Picks: 05.05.2011 – 05.11.2011 (Jazz Fest Late Night Edition, Pt. 2)
05.07: Rotary Downs + Happy Talk Band – Le Bon Temps Roule
If you are looking for as close to a mortal lock for a absolute ripper of a show as you will find in this world, the brilliant combination of two of the originators of the modern New Orleans indie rock scene is a great place to start.
Live Picks: 05.02.2011 – 05.04.2011
05.04: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion + JEFF the Brotherhood – One Eyed Jacks
Though the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s career has arguably mirrored that of the Black Keys, from their blues-rock ethic to their electronic and hip hop remix leanings, this New York trio presents the case of a band who not so much did this stuff before it was cool as much as did this stuff the last time it was cool. After all, part of Spencer and Co.’s charm lies in the kitschy and already-done nature of both their music and persona.
Live Picks: 04.28.2011 – 05.01.2011 (Jazz Fest Late Night Edition, Pt. 1)
04.29: Crocodiles + The Fresh & Onlys + Young Prisms – Republic
2010 was a heavy year for the Fresh & Onlys, a young San Francisco band who, though part of the modern deluge of “garage rock revivalists” vying for what little attention the electronica-centered masses have to give, has managed to somehow elevate itself from the strict confines of an admittedly minimalist genre of music with a brilliant Phil Specter-esque atmosphere of fuzzed-out psychedelic guitars, ethereal vocal harmonies, and driving, crash-heavy drums.
Live Picks: 04.21.2011 – 04.27.2011
04.23: Cut Copy + Holy Ghost! – Republic
After ushering in the “chillwave” era – an era that, depending on who you talk to, is either going strong or shrieking out it’s death rattle – Cut Copy instantly and consistently transcended that electronica-influenced sub-genre, reinventing their sound time and again without losing the infectious listenability that allows their music to simultaneously appeal to club-rats and AOR enthusiasts alike.
Live Picks: 04.14.2011 – 04.20.2011
04.17: Native America + Chris Rehm + Ben Jones – Breezy’s
While the music of Native America (helmed by Sun Hotel multi-instrumentalist Ross Farbe) and Caddwhompus vocalist/guitarist Chris Rehm is a little more spacious than that of their respective main bands, it’s littered with the kind of dreamy melodies that are still liable to get caught between your ears – and that seem custom made for the fantasy land that is Breezy’s.
Live Picks: 04.07.2011 – 04.13.2011
04.10: The Love Language + Big Blue Marble + The Beams – Hi-Ho Lounge
Stuart Lamb began working with semi-low-end/semi-high-end recording techniques a couple of years ago during a serious breakup-driven drug and alcohol dropout. The result can only be described as “mid-fi” of the highest order: thick, buzzing, tonal guitars and haunting piano keys set to a backdrop of eclectic percussion, all in meticulously-channeled stereo.
Live Picks: 03.31.2011 – 04.06.2011
04.01: 2011 DMC New Orleans DJ Battle featuring DJ Swamp + DJ Fatfingaz – Howlin’ Wolf
Started in 1985 in London, the DMC Championships have become the premier showcase for some of the most outrageous and flamboyant turntable tricks by the most skilled and experienced DJs from all over the world. Friday night’s event is the first step for New Orleans hopefuls looking to show off their wares, with the winner advancing to the US Finals in NYC in August.
Live Picks: 03.24.2011 – 03.30.2011
03.26: Dax Riggs + The Unnaturals – One Eyed Jacks
The last five years have seen Dax Riggs comfortably settled into his role as a solo musician both in name and songwriting approach. At times, the former Acid Bath front man further explores the swamp rock territory that he initially happened upon with Deadboy & the Elephantmen in the early 2000s. Other times, he touches on subtle experimentation within the post-grunge era, often with moving results.
Live Picks: 03.14.2011 – 03.16.2011
03.14: Sharon Van Etten + Great Lake Swimmers + Ava Luna – One Eyed Jacks
Sharon Van Etton’s latest album finds her honest songwriting and uninhibited lyrics punched up by a dynamic backing band; and after spending the last few months touring around Europe, opening for The National and getting the cover treatment from Bon Iver, Van Etten is embarking on her largest US tour to date.
