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.

Photo Leftovers

 

 

 

 

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."

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.

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!

Your Music Notes (3/11)

Most notably for me in music news today (and should be for you if you are in driving distance of Louisville) is that WFPK announced the first half of their Waterfront Wednesday summer concert series. These shows take place on the fourth Wednesday from April-September on the Waterfront under the pedestrian bridge. Shows have been getting bigger with every year and this announcement revealed this year is no exception.

April 23:   Moon Taxi
                 The Apache Relay
                 House Ghost
March 28: Spanish Gold
                 The Broken Spurs
                 TBA
June 25:    Old 97's
                 The Whigs
                 TBA

SKRILLEX has conquered the EDM world--without releasing an album. Next week that changes when he releases his debut album, Recess. He recently announced The Mothership Tour w/ Dillon Francis and others (which includes a stop on Louisville's Waterfront Park) and he will have some new material to play. The debut album is 48 minutes long, includes 11 tracks, and features Passion Pit's Michael Angelakos, Chance The Rapper and more.

CHVRCHES took to the BBC Live Lounge yesterday and gave a very interesting take on Lorde's "Team." It serves singer Lauren Mayberry's vocals well and leaves room for them to put their own symth twist on it. Check it out here.

Big day for tour dates in the indie world. Beck, Vampire Weekend, Modest Mouse, and the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration feat. Warren Haynes announced more summer tour dates.
PHISH has also announced their summer tour dates. They stretch from NY to CO. The band says no additional tour dates will be announced for the east coast for this summer or fall.

The big festival today to release its lineup is Canada's OSHEAGA. Jack White, Outkast, and Arctic Monkeys will headline. Other great artists to appear include Foster The People, Chromeo, Chvrches, Band of Horses, Local Natives, Haim, Old Crow Medicine Show, Volcano Choir, Kongos, Vance Joy,  Jagwar Ma, The Mowgli's, St. Lucia, Cherub, Wild Cub, and Bleachers. See them all August 1-3 for $250.

Notable releases today--Albums: THE DIRTY GUV'NAHS "Hearts on Fire"
                                      Singles: YOUNGBLOOD HAWKE "Pressure"

Arcade Fire Kicks Off Reflektor in Louisville

We can sit here all day and use any superlative or generalization about how Arcade Fire performs on stage. All I know is I just went to one kickass show.

It was a whole body of work and something to definitely stay engaged with. Firstly, they didn't keep anyone waiting. They showed up on stage (or shall I say side stage?) at about 8:50 when Win, Regine, Owen, and the mirror man played a haunting version of "My Body Is A Cage" on an elevated stage among the crowd.

Thrusting right into "Reflecktor," the band was playing in a interesting space I thought. I believed they wanted to start their tour in Louisville because it could be a good tune up and testing ground for what they want to do. Louisville is no NYC. The KFC Yum! Center had the top level of the arena curtained off. But they were a raucous crowd there tonight and Arcade Fire could test the success of a second stage and a fake The Reflecktors acts to start the encore.

They were able to take the show they played years ago when they were playing to 2000 people and transform that into a great show tonight. If it meant lowering the lights they did that. But they did a bunch of stuff: shooting confetti during the climax of "Here Come The Night Time," calling for the house lights on during "Wake Up," using stage 2 for multiple songs including "It's Never Over (Oh Orpheus." They will absolutely rip a festival to shreds but in this arena, in their own shows, they had to find a way to pull off their bigger sound. They did it.

Speaking of sound, these guys blast you in the face like Phil Spector. And the mastery of instrumentation is incomprehensible. The drummer leaves to play guitar. The guitarist plays the drums and piano. Regine plays anything from drums to accordion and hurdy gurdy. Horns section. Haitian percussionists. There is so much there and it shone through especially in songs like "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" and "Haiti."

And abnormal for Arcade Fire, they pulled out a cover of The Rolling Stones's "The Last Time" during an energetic five song encore.

For me, it took a bit to get adjusted to their show. It was actually the concert that I have been to at the KFC Yum! Center with the least people in attendance. (I've seen anyone from Zac Brown Band to MMJ and Miranda Lambert. Remember folks, this is Kentucky). I don't think they hit their stride until the third song. This show was not my favorite of all time or anything. These are songs I wanted to hear live and so glad I did. I was amazed at what I saw tonight.

More observations:

• Win is a big dude
• Regine is really dramatic
• Tim should enter into a Thom Yorke look a like contest
• The dress code suggestion brought a lot of diversity to what people wore. I saw everything from bros with jeans, Ghostbusters, overalls, mini skirts, prom dresses, and tuxedos. 
• They played a cover song tonight, but in saying that, The Rolling Stones is not who I would expect for them to cover
• The tour will get better. They are working out the kinks.
• They played for 1 hour and 43 minutes.
• 7 songs from Reflektor, 3 from The Suburbs, 3 from Neon Bible, 5 from Funeral, 1 cover