In an effort to get back to something resembling a concert, and supporting artists as best I can, Friday evening I sidled up to my laptop to watch Anberlin perform their album Cities in its entirety. Was it my favorite thing? No. Was the music good? Absolutely. This was my first livestream concert, so keep reading to catch my thoughts on the experience!
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Concert Throwback: Declan McKenna
Since I just reviewed Declan McKenna’s newest musical release, Zeroes, I figured I’d throw it back to the time I got to see him live! And at an incredibly tiny, local venue for that matter! Bliss. This guy is a true talent for his youth and I enjoyed every second of the performance. Even my friend who I dragged along with me had a great time! Once we’re out of this quarantine hell, go catch him in concert!
Read moreConcert Throwback: Bad Suns
I suppose this would be multiple concert throwbacks, because I’ve had the good fortune of being able to see Bad Suns in concert seven times! That puts them near the top of my most-frequent attendance list. It all started back in 2014 when I heard their first radio single, “Cardio Arrest,” play in my car. The rest is history!
Read moreConcert Throwback: Cute is What We Aim For
It’s a mouthful of a band name, but my middle school emo self loved Cute is What We Aim For so very much. Sadly, the first time I had the chance to see them in concert was about 13 years after I started listening to them. But it was such a great show, and lead singer Shaant Hacikyan was so genuinely happy to meet the fans! When he found out how long I’d been listening to them he squeezed me in a hug so tight that I thought my smile was going to split my face in two. Then approximately five years later I got to see them again! He was just as kind this time around. It wouldn’t be a Cute is What We Aim For show if they didn’t play hits like “There’s a Class for This” and “Moan,” but they also manage to mix it up and play some acoustically, which really adds a special elements to the shows. The band has undergone several lineup changes and they’ve released new music occasionally, but I really hope I get the chance to see them again sooner rather than later. Either way, a real talent, and so impressive live!
Read moreFan Art Friday: Fall Out Boy
This drawing is a bit of a throwback, but in this time of quarantine I’ve been listening to a lot of early 2000s Fall Out Boy. That, and I’m sad I’ll have to wait until next summer to see them on their Hella Mega Tour now.
Read moreFan Art Friday: Bad Suns
In celebration of the sixth anniversary of Language and Perspective from Bad Suns, here’s a throwback drawing (one of many) that I gifted them at one of their shows. It even made it onto their old website!
Read moreNew Music Review: Joywave
There’s always a part of me that likes to just go and listen to the same old stuff that I’ve been listening to for the past fifteen years, but then there’s a part of me that wants to find new music. While Joywave is not a band that has just entered my life, I have waited a few weeks too many to listen to their latest outing, Possession. Let me tell you, this record rules! Unlike a few of the last albums I’ve listened to, this one slapped all the way through, and that is quite the accomplishment!
Read moreAlbum Review: AWOLNATION, Angel Miners & the Lightening Riders
Don’t you just love new music? I sure do. And I was beyond pumped to finally have AWOLNATION’s latest record grace my ears this weekend. It’s been a surprisingly quick two years since their last effort, so back when they released their first single, “The Best,” I became increasingly excited for the full-length.
Read moreFall Concert Review: Angels & Airwaves
After a short break, the concerts are picking back up! Last night I got to see Angels and Airwaves at the House of Blues in Cleveland! It was quite a show filled with a good deal of talent – opening bands included!
Read moreAlbum Review: Bear Hands, Fake Tunes
One of my favorite alternative bands, Bear Hands, finally released their latest full-length album, Fake Tunes, nearly three years after one of my favorite records ever, You’ll Pay for This was ironically (or not) released on tax day. This album was a strong follow-up and I’ll certainly be listening to this in the pool all summer long!
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