A Silent Film (the Band, Not the Movie)

Posted on by
Reply

With a live show that left me with permagrin, I can’t keep quiet about A Silent Film.

Very rarely do I go into a live show blind – I usually know a handful of songs by the headlining band, or something about them has sparked my interest.  I do, however, listen to friends and artists whose musical opinions I respect.  And a bunch of mine have mentioned A Silent Film over the past two or three years.  A few weeks ago, I saw that they were going to be playing The Evening Muse, my favorite Charlotte venue.  So I figured I’d go if nothing else came up. I went.  There was a line out the door. Thank goodness I actually got there early.

Sometimes, I am way late on the party train for artists.  And I am the first to admit when I miss the boat. I missed the boat on A Silent Film.

Riding the wave of their recently released album Sand & Snow (pick it up for $5.99 on Amazon) and its catchy, jump-up-and-down first single “Danny, Dakota & the Wishing Well,” these Brit rockers are earning high marks all around – for both the album and their dizzying live shows.  And after just a few minutes on stage, they proved that they were worthy of the attention to this as-of-yet uncaptured fan.

They absolutely OWNED the stage.  They were engaged with the crowd, putting on what I can best describe as a “happily intense” performance – lively and energetic, even on the slower numbers.  Lead singer Robert Stevenson makes it clear from the get go that he is going to connect with the audience and whether his hands are dancing on the keys or reaching out to the crowd, he is belting out little nuggets of pop-gold with a silken, emotive vocal that is mesmerizing (it isn’t lost on me that this fella shares a name with a man who spun one of the most memorable tales of all time).  Backed up by Karl Barehem’s wooing guitar tones, they had my attention after just one song.

Given a number insanely foot-tapping synth-pop songs, you have to get a lot of credit to drummer Spencer Walker.  A fella that I met in the crowd said, “It sounds like there are two drummers up there!” – and that says it all pretty succinctly!  He didn’t do it all alone, though. Bass player Ali Hussain was right in there with him with driving bass lines…and, he’s a DEAD RINGER for Russell Howard (any music fan worth their salt will get that reference).

These songs are no light-hearted pop filler, either.  This is 3D songwriting – storytelling, reflective, and hooky all at the same time, the songs reach out and grab you, pulling you into the performance… People in the crowd danced.  They sang along.  They clapped at the right parts (and we all know I love some clapping!).  They swayed on the slower numbers. Had I known the band better, I would have been in the middle of the crowd, dancing, singing, clapping and swaying with them… However, not knowing them didn’t keep me from getting caught up in the magic of the performance.

Consider me among the converted – I’m a fan.


(Thanks to Silversun1100 for sharing this video from a show earlier this year on YouTube.)

More A Silent Film: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Sand & Snow on iTunes or Amazon

Free Download: Now here’s a groove slightly transformed…

Posted on by
Reply

A bit of a break from the norm… Folk rockers Fort Frances give their rendition of a classic Fresh Prince tune … and it is phenomenal!

Fort Frances is a great little Midwest indie-folk-rock act.  The band’s lead singer, David McMillin, is one of my favorite songwriters of all time – as well as one of the most prolific.  So color me intrigued a few months ago when the boys started doing a series of cover songs.  They show off their musical influence range with these songs, doing versions of Beck, Paul Simon and Daniel Johnston tunes so far. They’re cleverly marketing them and I look forward to each new edition.

But today’s Fort Frances cover took the cake.  It is, quite simply, BAD ASS. “Summertime.”  Yes.  The DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince classic.  Turned on its head and folk-ified and so deliriously delicious that it will make your head spin.  And you can have it for free.

So, go grab it up, crank the volume, put your car on cruise and lay back … ’cause after all, it’s the summertime.

(P.S.  If you dig what the boys are doing, you can get their original song “Hard Earned Heart” for free, too.)

More Fort Frances:  Web | Facebook | Twitter | Download the Fort Frances Album The Atlas on iTunes

Something New: Liam Titcomb

Posted on by
1

I love all music, but if I had to pick a genre that was my “power alley,” it would be singer-songwriter every day of the week, and three times on Monday.  So I thought it only appropriate that before I got to sleep to head into Monday, I share one of my newest favorite musical finds – a Canadian fella named Liam Titcomb.

There is nothing more than I love more than the sound of a great singer and an acoustic guitar.  Liam’s lilting voice pulled me in immediately and I made fast work of downloading his Love Don’t Let Me Down EP – which led to me immediately pre-ordering his new album, Cicada, set for release on August 7th. Anything this man sings, I want to own.

I’ll have to do a bit more buying because Liam’s been doing this songwriting thing for quite some time – he was signed to Sony Canada at age 15!  Apparently, the Canadians are trying to keep him all to themselves…why am I just now hearing about this talented singer?  Sorry ’bout your luck, Canada.  I found your secret and I’m sharing it with the world.

Here’s a video of Liam performing one of the songs that is on the Love Don’t Let Me Down EP and that will be featured on the new record.  I think I’ve played it 100 times in the three days I’ve had the EP.  Here’s hoping it gives your Monday a little boost, too.

More Liam Titcomb: Web | Facebook | Twitter

Charlotte Concert Alert: Saints of Valory & The Soldier Thread, August 15

Posted on by
Reply

An Austin double-header in Charlotte on August 15 might just leave you with two new favorite bands: Saints of Valory and The Soldier Thread.

August is shaping up to be a pretty fabulous concert month in Charlotte, kids.

Just announced yesterday, a hot, hot, hot Austin pairing will hit the Queen City on August 15th at Tremont Music Hall:  Saints of Valory & The Soldier Thread. Local kids S.O. Stereo will share the stage, as well.

If you somehow have missed it, Saints of Valory has SKYROCKETED to the very top of my “favorite artists EVER list” over the last 18 months.  This talented quad of fellas has won my musical ear with their spirited, ardent rock – and they put so much heart into their live performance, it just sent me tumbling head over heels for them. The guys are earning fans around the country – they have recently shared the stage with Michael Franti & Spearhead and were the Southwest region finalist for Billboard Music’s Battle of the Bands.

Tack on The Soldier Thread, an on-the-brink rock act with heavy doses of pop and electronica fronted by the golden-voiced of Patricia Lynn, and you’ve got a recipe for an absolutely KILLER show.

So, mark your calendars, kids.  Wednesday, August 15th.  Doors at 7:00, first band goes on at 8. Tickets are $8 at the door – $3 surcharge for under 21.  More info here.

25 Creative Ways to Be A Better Music Fan

Posted on by
11

In a world full of music listeners, how do you stand out from the crowd?

The music industry today is tough.  There are more artists than ever competing for our ears… and the Internet has essentially made buying music an “if you want to” sort of thing (If you haven’t read David Lowery’s diatribe on why we should be buying more music instead of downloading for free, you should).

So, outside of buying our copies of their albums, how do those of us who want to support artists do so?  Yeah, social media.  I get it.  Beyond that.  What can we do?  I’m very lucky to have become part of an incredibly supportive community of music fans, and they’re always coming up with inventive new ways to help our favorite artists along. For those who want to do more but don’t know how, I thought I’d take some of the ideas I’ve used and seen over the years and compile a list of ways to be a better music fan.

What have you got to add?

1.  Write an iTunes/Amazon review of an album.  The algorithms that help an album chart and show up in Google searches are a closely held secret.  However, reviews are a key part of the formula.  Keep ’em short, sweet and punchy!
2.  Make an iTunes Ping playlist/Spotify playlist/Mix CD with your favorite artists. Use social media to talk about your playlist or send copies of the CD out to your friends!  For many people, playlists are a great way to find new music.
3.  Your favorite artist is in town? Buy them dinner!  Pick up the check if you see them at your favorite restaurant before the show.
4.  Write a blog post about the artist. Subjective reviews are the easiest; if you’re going to write something newsy, make sure to double and triple check all your facts!
5.  Fuel them up/buy an oil change with gift cards. A lot of artists wrack up 3,000 miles on their vehicle in a typical week.  With gas still above $3 a gallon most everywhere, fuel bills and car repairs can add up quick.  Gift cards for these things are gold!  National chains are best (so they’ll work no matter where they are), but if your band is only touring regionally, local chains can work, too.
6.  Make care packages for touring musicians!  Care packages are a super fun way to let your favorite artists know how much you appreciate their music and their touring effort.  Load up a bag or basket with goodies you know they’ll love – or be able to put to good use.  Some things I’ve used before: card games, cookies, candy, music, Fix-a-Flat, Silly Putty, frisbees, fruit, restaurant gift cards, books and magazines, trial size toiletries, and bottled water.
7.  Leave behind a CD in a rental car.  I’ve left mix CDs behind and actual purchased CDs.  Both can be effective. Caveat:  Rental car companies do clean cars out between uses.  Put a little sticky note on it asking the rental car cleaners to leave it there for the next renter.  No one ever has good music when they need it.
8.  Put those hotel rewards points to use and gift a night at a nice hotel.  If you’re a frequent traveler (or an infrequent one) and have rewards points you can part with, saving the band a few bucks will earn you big gratitude.
9.  Offer up your couch or guest room for the night.  Imagine you’re a touring musician.  Hotel rooms in not-so-scary parts of cities run $75 and up a night. You’re on tour for 5 weeks.  The cost of rooms along could break the bank.  A little hospitality goes a long way.
10. Send a random email to tell them what the music means to you.  The little things matter.
11. Buy extra copies of an album and give it away to friends for no good reason.  It puts money in your favorite artists’ pockets AND it makes other people feel good.  Win-win.
12. Post on Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest when a new album comes out…and include the link!  Don’t make your friends and family work to find the music…make it easy for them to buy. I usually post both the Amazon and iTunes links (hint:  to get an iTunes link for an album, click on the little arrow next to the album price and select “Copy Link.”)
13. Host a house party with your favorite musician as the musical entertainment. Lots of independent artists are more than happy to play at your home.  Negotiate a price with the artists and then ask your friends and family to pitch in a “cover charge” to cover the cost.
14. The tried and true bumper sticker works better today than ever before. Everyone’s on the hunt to find the next new “it” band before their friends do.  Help them out and promote your favorites on your car!
15. At a live show, thank them for coming to your city.  Let them know you appreciate the effort they took to come see you.  Bonus:  artists remember this kind of thing and it might be the difference between them picking your city over another on their next tour.
16. Buy an extra ticket for a show and leave it at the door.  Tell the door guy to give it to someone who doesn’t have a ticket or use social media to give it away to the first person to grab it (thanks for the idea, Riz!).
17. Clip restaurant coupons for their favorite places and give them to them when they play your city.  Saving money is ALWAYS a good thing.
18. Get your friends together for pre-show drinks/dinner and invite the artist to stop by.  It’s a great way for them to meet some of their fans (or soon to be fans) one-on-one!
19.  Check-in at a live show using Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter, or whatever your friends are using.  Make them want to be at that show with you!
20.  Use your birthday as a way to get your family and friends to contribute to a Kickstarter or PledgeMusic campaign.  You really don’t need another pair of running socks, anyway.
21.  Give the gift of Sharpies.  Yes, it’s true, I’m a Sharpie fanatic.  But for touring musicians, these perma-pens have a mysterious way of disappearing.  They can never have enough!  And…if you want to get really fancy, get them some customized ones.
22. Use lyrics to make artwork and graphics.  You don’t have to be DaVinci to make cool artwork these days.  All you need are some basic computer tools.  Make customized Facebook cover photos with lyrics (make sure you put the band’s name in there).  Take your digital photos and use Photoshop or Paint to add your favorite lyric to your favorite buddy photo.  Print it out and frame it as a gift.  You’re getting the word out there about the artist…and giving a unique, customized gift in the process.
23.  Ask the street team or artist about helping out with selling merch at a show.  Many artists tour without crew, so having an extra set of hands to help out is very appreciated (and many artists will offer you free entry into the show as thanks).  Caveat:  in some bigger venues, this could mean that you actually don’t get to see the show, so make sure to ask ahead of time if you have to staff the table during the show.
24.  Randomly give away a copy of an album on social media.  This is one of my favorites!  On the day an album is released, tweet, Facebook or whatever that you’ll give away a copy of the album to the first person to message you.  iTunes or Amazon gift the music to them.  You’ll put a smile on someone’s face, I guarantee it!
25.  Roadtrip for a show in another city.  Keep an eye on your favorite musicians touring schedules.  Know that a city won’t bring in a crowd for them?  Never seen them in their hometown?  Trust me, hometown shows are ALWAYS worth the trip.  Show up unexpectedly.  Get your friends together and make it a weekend adventure.  New cities often bring new setlists and surprises!