The buzz from the excited crowd anticipating two of the jam band’s scene’s most up and coming bands was fresh and impulsive. These are bands that have mostly broken through by their tediousness in touring and their successful musical appearances at major festivals such as Bonnaroo and Wakarusa. Tea Leaf Green opened the show with… Continue reading Umphrey's McGee with Tea Leaf Green | 6/1/2007 | Review
The official launch of Page’s tour was here in Philadelphia at the World Café Live about a month earlier than this show, and it was broadcasted live for WXPN. I played hooky from work that day to review that show, and on this night I expected many of the same songs from the new self-titled… Continue reading Page McConnell — Doin' His Thing
RAQ came back to North by Northwest in Philadelphia on Cinco de Mayo after a terrific show in Virginia where die hard fans boarded a bus to follow them north to this Philly show. The momentum of RAQ is building, but they really seem to enjoy playing at this small almost secret venue tucked in… Continue reading RAQ – En Fuego en Cinco de Mayo
This was my first time in the old fashioned Theatre of the Living Arts since it has turned into the Fillmore at the TLA, and it was a very interesting bill for me. I am very familiar with the current afrobeat champions from Brooklyn, on the other hand, I’ve never heard of State Radio so… Continue reading Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra / State Radio: Crazy Co-bill
With the end of the String Cheese Incident looming, keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth debuted yet another side project aptly called soulside. Of all his collaborations, this one might seem like the most odd of pairings: Kyle, DJ Logic, and Speech of Arrested Development. Flanked by Ryan Jalbert on guitar, Garrett Sayers on bass, and Damien Hines… Continue reading Kyle Hollingsworth Shows His "Soulside"
It was in a small hipster bar in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia where I met the band for a pre-show birthday dinner for my good friend and road manager Ben Scrimali. The members of the band were extremely down to earth and friendly as we talked about Boulder and the ever changing music… Continue reading The Motet: Staying True to the Sound
It’s been said that fine, delicate wines need to mature slowly. For bands, sometimes that’s true. In GB Leighton‘s case, it has taken almost two decades of songwriting and serious performing to develop into a force that is poised to take on the musical world. That maturing is grounded in Brian Leighton’s songwriting, his powerful… Continue reading GB Leighton: A Roots Rock Band to Watch
“Conformity is nice but it will never tell you twice to live for fun!!!” – Stoops The carnival came to the ultra sold out Bowery Ballroom in New York City for the largest Earth Day celebration. There were fire swallowers, people dressed in costume, and even popular musicians such as Page McConnell lurking through the… Continue reading RAQ Shines at the Green Apple Music Festival
Even the most die hard jam band fan will at one point crave something new and unusual, a step away from the traditional structure of lead guitar solos dragging on for minutes. This doesn’t mean that a fan of such musical structure needs to subject themselves to standardized pop music; it simply suggests that the… Continue reading From Asheville to Africa, Why You Need to Hear Toubab Krewe
I want to start by saying that this band is a must see adventure. Make no mistake about it; this is one of the unique and fun acts that I’ve seen since Hurra Torpedo last summer. It is really hard to compare this incredible duo from Austin, Texas to anyone, but try to imagine putting… Continue reading Ghostland Observatory: Watch Out!
