Author Archives: Krissie

Easily the Best Show of the Year

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Saints of Valory at Crown Station. Forgive the sad little picture, but I was too mesmerized by this amazing show…I only took two!

I realize I’m given to excessive love for singers, bands, musicians in general.  But when talking about live shows, statements such as “It was the best show I’ve seen all year” are not comments that I make lightly.  I see a lot of live music; last year, I saw more than 80 live performances.  Having that many under your belt gives you a lot of options for “the best,” so it’s not easy for me to bestow that title.

But, I can say this without a doubt:  Hands down, Saints of Valory‘s performance at Crown Station last night was the best show I’ve seen all year.

This little quartet from Austin plays with such passion and heart – and it was evident to everyone in that room.  I watched people who didn’t know their music at all turn into fans last night.  Huge, soaring vocals.  Intricate guitar work.  Simple and beautiful keys.  Then there’s world’s most silent man, Gerard Bouvier, who plays drums like a lion – his quiet personality completely belies his skill. When you combine their talents with an intimate, micro-sized venue like Crown Station, you’ve got a recipe for a magical show.

When artists genuinely want to connect with their audience, there’s an electricity that’s created and just can’t be matched – and last night’s show was chock full of spark and ignition. They played nearly everything off of their Bright Lights album (they call it an EP, but I think they’re taking the very literal definition of EP), both “new” songs from the Neon Eyes EP, and even performed a few new songs, including “Million to None,” which could easily become a new favorite of mine.

I have a thing for bands where there are more vocals than just the lead singer, and SOV does not disappoint here.  Guitarist Godfrey Thomson and keyboardist Stephen Buckle lend their voices on a lot of songs to produce a veritable choir.  Then there was this small, almost imperceptible thing that I noticed.  If you study Gavin while he sings, he makes these little hand motions that might seem like they’re personal – reaching a hand out towards the audience ever so slightly, holding his hand to his chest, or touching his head like he’s thinking – but they’re really part of the performance, pulling you into the songs, making you feel the songs on his level.   The recorded CD couldn’t possibly capture these energies…you’ve got to just see it live.

When I ask my friends to come out to shows, they never let me down – and there’s always one or two out of a big group that walk away with a CD or saying they really like the band.  But last night, I watched my friends, along with other people that didn’t know their music, become fans. They were, like me, caught up in the magic of their show.   And that high that you can only get from seeing a truly great music performance, carried over into today, as I watched my friends tweet, blog, and tweet some more about the band and their own connections with the music.

To put icing on the evening, the band was just the nicest, most down-to-earth group of guys, who were content to hang out with us after the show for a few hours (yes, hours) telling stories, laughing at our crazy antics, and talking music.

The thing is…Saints of Valory is a band truly on the way up.  They’ve got so much passion for what they’re doing, and their music is already so good, but you can hear it getting even better.  From the CD, which was released in November, to now, they’ve made just small tweaks to songs – guitar bits here, a slight lyric shift there – and the songs are richer because of it.  The new songs they’re playing, some of them literally just written in the last few weeks, are incredible. I have no doubts that by the next time I see them these songs will be really developed and absolutely floor me.

Mark my words – these guys are going to continue to push their own envelope.  You want to be on this journey with them.  Buy their music, but more importantly, get your tush out to a show to see them. And prepare yourself, because you’re going to fall in love with Saints of Valory.

More Saints of Valory:  Web | Twitter | Facebook

The Sunday Funday Playlist – July 24, 2011

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Another Sunday, and this week’s playlist is a doozy!  I’ve been craving rock music lately, and that’s totally evident in this week’s selections.  Enjoy!

1.  It’s Time – Imagine Dragons

If you ever want to argue how successful iTunes is, I am THEE perfect example.  I will click on the “Other listeners who bought this also bought…” links EVERY time.  On a recent clicking adventure, I came across this band from Vegas.  Awesome melodic rock.  Love it.  And we know how I love the clapping songs.  This is my favorite track on their latest album, but I also adore the 80s sound of “America” (It reminds me of Neverending Story for some reason, and that movie will make me bawl like a baby every time).

2.  Perfect Day – The Constellations

Shelia loves The Constellations and has been kind enough to invite me to several shows with her.  This past Friday, we embraced our inner teenagers and ventured out to the hotter than Hades Tremont Music Hall with a big mess of our friends to see them with AWOL Nation. At first, I didn’t quite “get” their music, but they’ve started to grow on me… and their high energy show could win over anyone.  This song has become my favorite of theirs.  So, in tribute to my Gin Mill gang…thanks for a perfect day!

3.  The Bright Lights – Saints of Valory

If you follow me on Twitter, are friends with me on Facebook or follow this blog in any minor way, there’s no way you’ve missed me totally drooling over this Austin, TX-based band lately.   I am wildly in love with their music and am so excited because this week, I’ll get to see them live!  So flipping excited! This multi-cultural band (Brazilian, French, Canadian and American!) has a very unique writing style, yet their songs are completely worthy of sunroof open, windows down sing alongs.  It will be hard for them to shake comparisons to Coldplay because of Gavin’s plaintive tenor, but they are actually quite different.  This is probably my favorite song on their album by the same name.

4. World On Fire – Golden State
I spent most of this week checking iTunes, Amazon and every other potential music outlet two or three times a day for the new record, Division, from this California band.  Alas, Division has remained elusive, and the band posted that there were some issues with the distribution, so I’m guessing it will be out this Tuesday.  So, in the interim, I’ve been listening to their Problem, Reaction, Solution releases from last summer (if you really want to rock out, put on “Lightspeed” from Vol. 1 full blast), along with this single, which they released on their Standing on the Edge of It All EP last fall.  I fully expect this band to take off in the next twelve months…mark my words.

5. Talk to Me – Lovedrug

I was so super late on the train for this Ohio band.  They’ve been around for a decade, and I’ve really only just learned about them in the past year, thanks to my modern day music pen pal, Fred, out in Colorado.  Lead singer Michael Shepard has the most haunting voice – I love it.  As a result of their PledgeMuse campaign, the guys put out a cover album last month that includes songs like “Billie Jean,” Third Eye Blind’s “God of Wine,” and this amazing version of Stevie Nicks’ “Talk to Me.”  Pick up the Best of I Am Lovedrug for a host of silly great covers.

Friday Awesomeness: Golden State

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In 2008 while iTunes surfing, I downloaded a record called The Golden Rule by a rock band called Golden State.  I was instantly hooked, and they were on my 2008 Fall Mix with their song “The Static Between Us.”  Awesome writing, HUUUUUGE vocals, and serious musical chops.  Music crush born.

These songs are monster songs, guys.  Like the kind of anthemic, life-changing songs that you walk around singing all day long.  The soundtrack to your life kind of music. Think Queen epic.  U2 caliber.  Everyone in the car on the roadtrip knows the words and belts them out at the top of their lungs songs.  That good.

And here’s a hint to tell you when I really, really like a band.  They made a second Krissie mix.  Winter 2010.

So, aside from that stellar achievement (ha ha!), the band’s had a helluva twelve months.  Their songs have appeared on “Deadliest Catch” (in key, crucial moments, like saying goodbye to Captain Phil) and been used by the BBC as the theme song for William and Kate’s wedding.  Huge exposure for a little band…

Their new album, Division, is supposed to be released this week, although some sort of glitch has fans other than those in California who could attend the CD release waiting…And reading reviews like this one, which refer to them as having “The Bombastic-ness of Muse, the Cleverness of Catherine Wheel, & the Grace of U2” are making me so antsy to get my hands on it.

So…here’s the Friday awesome…check out their EPK for the new album.  I love this message…

“And the whole theme of this record is to pull you away from being just another number, another face, another name…to divide yourself from the mass….For everybody that has a voice, this record is for you.  When you’re stuck in that mass, in carbon copy routine, having the same ideas, the same thoughts, the same process…that’s why this record was made.  That’s why it’s called Division.”
– James Grundler, Golden State

Rock on, guys.  I can’t wait to hear it…and congratulations in advance.  I know I’m gonna love it.

More Golden State:   Web | Facebook | Twitter

The Sunday Funday Playlist: July 17, 2011

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More than any other question I get from friends, family and casual acquaintances who know my total obsession with music is “What are you listening to these days?”  I can never come up with answers fast enough, and I always leave things out because my playlists literally change all the time.  So, I decided that I’d take a cue from some other bloggers – Shelia and RadioPotato being my two biggest inspirations – and post a weekly playlist of my “Top Five” most spun songs for the week.  I’ve been hesitant to do something like this until now because I hate the thought of spoiling the song surprises on the quarterly Krissie Mixes, but … this will allow me to promote a lot of other music that doesn’t make the Mix cut.

And so, without further adieu, I give you the first Sunday Funday Playlist!

1.  Obey Your Guns – Matrimony
This Charlotte band is getting all sorts of talked up, for good reason – the music is just plain sick.  Husband and wife Jimmy Brown and Ashlee Hardee Brown have the most incredible harmonies, and they’re backed up by a band that has serious chops.  They’re new single, “Obey Your Guns,” makes me want to dance and is incredibly beautiful at the same time. It is available for free right now on their Bandcamp page.

Recommended for fans of:  The Avett Brothers, The Civil Wars

2.  Living Free – Josh Bray
Oh, BalconyTV, I love you so…but you’re going to make me broke.  Saw this gorgeous little folk-soul singer on BalconyTV’s London channel and was instantly in love.  I think my best description would be the U.K. version of Amos’ Lee, although his voice reminds me a lot of Kristian Bush.  This is my favorite track from his album, Whisky & Wool, which has been on non-stop repeat for the past two days in Krissie land.

Recommended for fans of:  Amos Lee, Billy Pilgrim

3. Brand New Day – Trevor Hall
I first saw Trevor on The Rock Boat back in 2009 (I think?  They’re all beginning to blend together!) and was instantly mesmerized by this soft-spoken white guy pulling off reggae-ish sounds…well.  And his percussionist, Chris Steele, absolutely blew me away.  His songs, like Michael Franti’s but in a much calmer fashion, all have messages of peace, love and harmony, and there’s something universally appealing about that to me.  Trevor, who is currently touring with Matisyahu, put out this song this week as a single and I’m loving it, and its message.

Recommended for fans of:  Matisyahu, Bob Marley

4.  Always Spring – I’m From Barcelona
Holy happy clapping song, Batman!  I pick up music from just about anywhere…and I know what I like.  So when this song was playing in the background of a “Royal Pains” episode, I managed to grab enough of the lyrics to Google it and find out what it was.  This Swedish band is quite large…and by quite large I mean they have 29 members!

Recommended for fans of: Architecture in Helsinki, Walk the Moon

5.  Decade of Deceit – The Influence
Anyone who knows me knows what a HUGE space this five-piece band from Virginia Beach occupies in my heart.  They’re probably the hardest, darkest band that I listen to…and I absolutely LOVE them.  This track was one of a handful they recently recorded at Manifold Studios in Pittsboro, NC.  This is a bad ass rock song, filled with ridiculous guitar parts that will leave ANY rocker wanting more.  I especially ADORE the rhythms in this ditty  – Tully on bass and Collin on drums are KILLING it.  And of course, as is par for the course, the vocals are insane: gorgeous five-part harmonies, despairing and angry all at the same time ; I think they are the most harmonious hard rock band I know.

Recommended for fans of:  Muse, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead

New Alpha Rev EP Underway

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(A huge thanks to VideoBacon for posting this on YouTube for everyone to enjoy…He/she should get all the cred for the video!)

The boys in Alpha Rev are making a new EP and they need our help.  The band left the Hollywood Records label a few months ago – like many bands today, they found that labels want to control the music but give little support – and are now making a new EP on their own dime. So they’ve asked fans to chip in through their Pledge Music page.  They’ve got some fabulous rewards for donations to the effort!

And because Alpha Rev is comprised of one of the most phenomenal groups of musicians ever, they are setting the bar really high for themselves and recording the EP live.  If you don’t think that’s incredibly cool, you haven’t listened to enough old records. They spent some time rehearsing over the past few weeks and are in the studio this week to record.  Sending lots of luck their way.

As if doing a live EP weren’t badass enough, the guys have also made the decision that a percentage of whatever funds they raise for the EP will go to charity.  The band, and particularly Casey McPherson, has been hugely supportive of mental health charities in the past, and they continue their dedication by supporting Mental Health America of Texas.  They’ve also pledged a portion of the funds to Trade In Hope, an organization which crusades against child sex slavery in America.

Why should you support Alpha Rev when a million other bands are vying for your dollars?  I’ll give you a few good reasons:  1)  They are truly phenomenal musicians.  Listening to Alpha Rev is like a modern day rock orchestra.  They bend melodies in ways like I’ve never heard before.  2)  Alpha Rev left their label because they have standards for their music – they don’t want to compromise on quality to make money.  That, to me, says that they’re making music for the right reasons, for the music…and they want to share it with their fans on their terms.

So, if you’ve got a few extra bucks laying around and want to be part of something awesome, head on over and check out the updates on the record.  The boys are only 56% of the way to their goal with just under 50 days left to go.