Tuesday, April 22, 2014

If I Was There: Counterpoint Music Festival

If I was in Atlanta this weekend at CounterPoint Music festival, this is what I would see.

CounterPoint starts a lot of its booking with DJs but in recent years has been merging into rock and pop artists that also peak the interest of the electronic fans. For example Matt & Kim is not an EDM artist or a DJ but they definitely appeal to the same fans.

Essentials:
   April 25-27, 2014
   Kingston Downs, Georgia
   3 Day pass: $199
   Single day: $90
 

The schedule is out and this is what I would see if I was there...

Friday
Moon Taxi: 545-645 Blu Freedom Stage
Infinity Shred: 645-715 The Underground
Tourist: 745-810 The Underground
Big Gigantic: 810-900 Blu Freedom Stage
Matt & Kim: 900-930 Hillside Stage
Papadosio: 930-1015 The Underground
Pretty Lights: 1015-1200 Blue Freedom Stage

Saturday
Wild Cub: 145-245 Blue Freedom Stage
Dan Croll: 245-345 Hillside Stage
St. Lucia: 345-445 Blue Freedom Stage
Lance Herbstrong: 445-520 Steeple Stage
The Floozies: 520-600 The Underground
STS9: 900-1030 Hillside Stage
Foster The People: 1030-1200 Blue Freedom Stage

Sunday
Basic Vacation: 100-145 Hillside Stage
Yacht: 145-245 Blu Freedom Stage
The Revivalists: 245-345 Hillside Stage
Roman Gianarthur: 345-430 The Underground
Cashmere Cat: 600-700 The Underground
Sleigh Bells: 900-1000 Hillside Stage
Outkast: 1000-1145 Blu Freedom Stage

Obviously I did not account for walking time and whatnot. You see, I live in a perfect world.



Friday, April 18, 2014

Need to Know: Moontower Music Festival



Forecastle Festival in Louisville, Kentucky has been improving with every year, but soon they might get some competition from adjacent city Lexington soon. Just an hour down I-64, Lexington (and specifically Equus Run Vineyards) will play host to Moontower Music Festival. In its first year, the festival will be a one day event, but in 2015 they hope to expand to three days. Their lineup this year is a great start.

Essentials:
   Moontower Music Festival
   Lexington, Kentucky
   Equus Run Vineyards
   July 26
   Gates open at 10 AM
   https://moontowermusicfestival.com/
   Tickets: $45
Lineup:
   Moon Taxi
   Sundy Best
   Machines Are People Too
   Brave Baby
   Tyler Childers
   A Lion Named Roar
   Buffalo Rodeo
   DJ Gary Klass

Moontower has a solid lineup that is representative of the music scene and tastes of local Lexington as well as Louisville, Bowling Green, Nashville, and more. In their first year, the festival will offer a great mix of country folk, pop, synth, rock, and electronica. 

They promise local craft beer and food (including food trucks). You must be 21+ to attend the festival. Organizers LexEffect urge you to "come early, stay late, and have a great time."


Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Last of The Pass Singles

The Pass, Louisville's representative synth pop/rockers, have been stringing us along for four months will four singles. Their momentum will roll into the summer where they will release the full record and make appearance at Bunbury Festival, MidPoint Indie Summer Concert Series, and more. They recently came home from a successful trip to SXSW.

Yesterday, they released the last of the four singles , "Only For You/Layers," both are which stick to their uptempo style.

"Only For You" sounds like the triumphant tune at the end of a John Hughes film as they fade away from a gymnasium. I don't know that's just what I picture. It seems to encapsulate a 21st Centruy New Wave. But it further cements The Pass as experts on synth pop grooves. Lead singer Kyle Peter's dripping vocals as especially singable in this one.

"Layers," a more fast tempo tune, keeps the thud-thumping going with a great synth-drum connection. Add the great vocals and just like the sound says, layers of beats and you have got another great tune by The Pass.

Now we wait. They have given us all four singles. Soon, the full album, bigger slots...this will be a big summer and fall for The Pass. These guys are about to break.


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Record Store Day 2014 in Louisville

Sorry folks, I'm back after an unexpected absence. School got pretty demanding and I'm trying to juggle positions at the school radio station and newspaper. I'm also planning a music festival on campus in the fall. But more on that later…

I'm here to draw your attention to another year of fantastic Record Store Day celebrations here in Louisville this Saturday April 19. More record stores have opened, more music love to go around.

Matt Anthony's Record Shop 
2354 Frankfort Avenue 40206
Open 11 am - 7 pm
Matt shared a preview of RSD merchandise on his Facebook page. His store is always staked and if he doesn't have it, he will find it for you.

Guestroom Records
1806 Frankfort Avenue 40206
Open 11 am - 9 pm
Guestroom has also shared a preview of their RSD selection which looks to include Built to Spill, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Hank Williams, David Bowie, and more!
Guestroom will be having live music starting at 3 pm with a lineup that includes Sleepyhead, Nightvisions Radio, Mote, and Second Story Man. The show is free.
 Astro Black Records
1000 E. Oak St. 40204
Store is open 9 am - 7 pm (Lisa's oak Lounge opens at noon)
Astro Black will be hosting a diverse day of RSD madness at their location in coordination with the adjacent Lisa's Oak Lounge. Their will be performances both at the store and the concert venue. The music begin at 1 pm and will go on all afternoon with music by Anwar Sadat, Animal City, Billy Petot (of Whistle Peak), Kal Marks, Microwaves, and Scott Carney (of Wax Fang). The whole event is free.

1 pm - SCOTT CARNEY (Astro Black)
2 pm - BILLY PETOT (Astro Black)
3 pm - MICROWAVES (Astro Black)
3:45 pm - CAVALCADE Literary Reading (Astro Back Patio)
4:30 pm - KAL MARKS (Lisa's)
5:30 pm - ANIMAL CITY (Astro Black)
6:30 pm - ANWAR SADAT (Lisa's)


There will be a patio reading by writer/filmmaker/musician Dakota Loesch, food by Holy Mole taco truck, beer w/ ID, and RSD specials. There are many people out there making this one happen so you better get out to Astro Black.

Better Days Records
1765 Bardstown Road 40205
Open 8 am - 10 pm
You will likely find the largest stock in town this RSD at Better Days. They advertise over 400 RSD title coming in as well as over 1000 LPs on the sidewalk for your perusal. Some RSD titles they plan to have are Death Cab For Cutie, Sharon Jones, Grateful Dead, One Direction, Pinback, Pussy Galore, Veruca Salt, Charles Bradley, Josh Rouse,Minus 5, A Minor Forest, Half Japanese, Heatmiser (cassettes), Bardo Pond, The Zombies, Deerhoof, Botch, Spacemen 3, Flaming Lips, Civil Wars, Cave In, Lemonheads, Oneohtrix Point Never, The Moles, Cardinal, Cake, Outkast, The Cure, Dave Matthews Band, Notorious B.I.G. and Man Man. 

As usual, you can also buy tickets to shows at Headliner's at Better Days. 

Modern Cult Records
2001 Frankfort Avenue 40206
Open 8 am - end of show
Modern Cult will be selling RSD all day long but the party really starts around 8 pm. They advertise that you have a fantastic time at Astro Black Records and when it concludes at 7 pm, you hop over to Modern Cult for a single release show around 8 pm by Louisville psych rock band New Bravado. Joining New Bravado is Opposable Thumbs. The show is free and they will be having drinks and refreshments (grilling hot dogs and burgers…) all day. 

Underground Sounds
2003 Highland Avenue 40204
Open 12 pm - 8 pm
Underground Sounds will be throwing a hip hop block party curated by JaLin Roze for this year's Record Store Day. Performances start ar 2 with a lineup that includes Skyscraper Stereo, Godflow, Bird Zoo, Illadvised, CJ Prof (of Actual People), and a DJ set by DJ Outhere. 

The Great Escape 
2433 Bardstown Road 40205
Open 8 am - 9 pm
The great escape usually has a sizable selection at their sidewalk sale and they will also include comic books during their RSD events. 

Get out there and spread the love this Record Store Day!