Music and photography – two of my favorite things

This week’s musical journey started early in the week with a President’s Day show with Good English at the South Park Tavern in Dayton.

I have photographed this band in several different elements over the past six months, and each of them have brought me joy.

My most recent experience was a Monday night show where for the first time, I believe the Rasmussen sisters are starting to find their sound… and it was definitely good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.

Good English put a fair number of their recently recorded songs on display much to the crowds approval. These rocking songs showed off Leslie solid time-keeping drumming, Celia’s stoic and steady bass-lines and Liz’s raspy rock-gurrrl vocals.

I enjoyed every minute. (Even when Celia’s bass amp died midway through the last song.)

This band is on its way and has even booked a festival in Austin in April.

The rest of the week was slow musically for me, but will be picking up tonight as I have a couple of events planned.

This evening I will be attending a meet-up of Ohio music photographers at Arnold’s, where hopefully, we will swap stories, ideas and build on already loose friendships through our love for photography and music.

After the photography forum, I am planning on hitting The Drinkery in Over the Rhine to catch the CD release party for the DAAP Girls – a hot new Cincinnati band.

Should be a fun night.

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Yonder turned up the heat!!!

Yonder Mountain String Band – 1-31-13 –
Madison Theater – Covington, Ky.

The show opened with a bang with bluegrass, American, folk outfit Lake Street Dive (not Drive).

The band had people bouncing early, and noted that “Yonder has an amazing crowd. We seemed to have overlooked Covington in the past. We are definitely going to have to come back!”

If the band’s set has anything to do with it, the crowd will be back as well.

After the warm-up act and despite more than an inch of snow falling during the show, Yonder Mountain String Band kept it smoking hot inside the Madison Theater in Covington, Ky.

Lead by smoldering banjo, guitar and mandolin rifts by Dave Johnston, Adam Aijala and Jeff Austin respectively, and killer bass-lines by Ben Kaufmann, YMSB had the crowd in the palms of their hands right from the beginning.

This was the 20^th or 21^st YMSB shows I have seen, and each one while amazing, is a little bit different than the last.

My personal highlight was the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter Grateful Dead classic Reuben & Cherise with teases to YMSB’s Girlfriend is Better. I could barely take pictures between the dancing.

Well done, boys!!!

For more pictures from Lake Street Dive, click here.
For more pictures from Yonder Mountain String Band, click here.

01/31/13 – Madison Theater – Covington, Ky.
Set I: Part 1> Easy As Pie, Reuben & Cherise, Pride Of Alabama, Hit Parade Of Love, Finally Saw The Light, Red Tail Lights, 1/2 Moon Rising, Funtime, In The Seam> Ruby> Shake Me Up> Ruby
Set II: Bolton Stretch, I Am The Slime, A Father’s Arms, To See You Coming Round The Bend, Shady Grove> Wheel Hoss> Shady Grove, Dreams, Ripcord Blues, If Loving You Is Killing Me, Hill Country Girl, Isolate> New Horizons> King Ebeneezer> New Horizons
E: Naughty Sweetie, At The End Of The Day, Idah

Ready for some Yonder Mountain String Band jamgrass tonight

Ben Kauffman of Yonder Mountain String Band at the All Good Music Festival

Stoked to be getting back on the horse tonight to check out some Yonder Mountain String Band. I haven’t seen them since the All Good Music Festival this summer and cannot wait to boogie with them and their fast-paced bluegrass stylings.

If you are looking for something to do, I can assure you there will be a party tonight at the Madison Theater in Covington, Ky. Hope to see you there!!!

Weekend of music left me Frazzled!!!

Heartless Bastards at the Southgate House Revival

Wow! What a crazy weekend. The weekend can be summed up in three words – Bastards, Funk and  Fun.

Friday started off with my first trip to the new Southgate House Revival to check out the Austin-based (formerly from Cincinnati) and Downtown Dayton Revival alumni band the Heartless Bastards (and opening band Dead Confederate).

First let me say that I loved almost everything about the venue. It is a refurbished old church with original stained-glass and a sanctuary for music. The lighting conditions are tough for photography, but I look forward to going back anyway.

The opener was hard-driving (and very loud) rock band Dead Confederate. Although not my normal cup of tea, they definitely had the crowd banging their heads along with the band.

The venue filled up (the show was sold out) for local favorite Heartless Bastards. The band did not disappoint their loyal fans with their blend of folksy, bluesy rock. I saw many who were all giddy to see this band and most were coming back for the second night of the run.

I did not get to stay for the whole show, but from what I have heard the band did not disappoint. I then scurried over to catch the last couple of acts at the Madison Theater in Covington, Ky., where Frazzle Town (billed as a one-night winter music festival) was in full effect.

Magic Jackson at Frazzle Town

I was fortunate to catch the super-funky Magic Jackson tearing the roof off the sucka’. Although my weekend was filled with great music, this set was my favorite as I found myself bouncing with my photo gear.

Magic Jackson was followed by host SassafraZ. The Cincinnati-based funk and hip-hop band brought a strong, but mellow-ish set to the delight of the festival-goers. I always enjoy the way the band blends rap sensibilities into a funky bassline and brass section. Really a great mix.

On top of all of that, a few people took me up on my previous suggestions and said hello. I met some new like-minded friends and expect to see a lot of them along the way.

Cincinnati Entertainment Awards

The weekend did not end there. On Sunday, I got the privilege of shooting the 16th Annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards. What a fun night! Where else can you go to one place and see so many friends and talented musicians AND get to celebrate their accomplishments.

During the show, there were some great acts I had never seen before (but will again), some friends winning awards (yay Cliftones, Bufalo Killers and Chakras), and a general appreciation for music and talent.

All in all I am still basking in the glow of a great weekend.

Busy weekend of good local music!!!

Heartless Bastards at the Downtown Dayton Revival in Dayton, Ohio

I am excited to cover several shows this weekend. I will kick off the festivities with the formerly from the ‘Nati (now based in Austin) rockers Heartless Bastards as they storm into town for two sold-out shows at the Southgate House Revival in Newport, Ky.

SassafraZ at the Newport Music Hall – Columbus, Ohio

We will then be hustling over to Covington, Ky. to catch the last three acts of Frazzletown at the Madison Theater. Hoping to make part of Magic Jackson and definitely want to see funkmasters SassafraZ – who are nominated for a Cincinnati Entertainment Award Sunday.

That leads up nicely to my final foray of the weekend as I will be hitting up the CEAs at the 20th Century Theater in Cincinnati, where I will be in the presence of the best of the best in Cincinnati music. Very excited and honored to be a part of this big moment for a lot of great local bands.

As always … if you see me running around … stop me and say hello. I love meeting new, like-minded people.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – Ooh La La!!!

Rockers Grace Potter and the Nocturnals brought a tale of two acts to the Taft Theater in Cincinnati.

Playing in front a full house, the band showed off their musical diversity. Potter and band started with their more slow, beautiful and melodic songs and then encored with a five-song barnstorming rock show that had everyone begging for more.

With Potter’s show-stopping good looks, her masterful and energetic stage presence, the bands three guitar rock ‘n’ roll, jamming and blues stylings – there was certainly something for everyone.

The highlight for me was the amazing encore that seemed to go on forever and taking the crowd on a musical journey through the Nocturnals’ hits. Starting with Apologies, easing into Nothing but the Water I & II, driving into Paris (Ooh La La) and ending with a beautiful rendition of Medicine.

It has been a few days, but the music still is playing in my head. Thank you, Grace …

For more images, click here.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Taft Theater – Cincinnati, Ohio -1/11/13

The Lion The Beast The Beat
Never Go Back
Ah, Mary
Treat Me Right
Grandma’s Hands
Runaway
Here’s to the Meantime
Ragged Company
Stars
Sugar
Down by the River
Oasis
Stop the Bus

Encore:
Apologies
Nothing but the Water I & II
Paris (Ooh La La)
Medicine

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals tonight!!!

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals bring their rocking style to the Taft Theater tonight in Cincinnati. If you are interested in going, you better hurry as tickets were almost sold out as of yesterday.

If you make it there, stop by and say hi. I will be the one running around with a couple of cameras. Tell us what you would like to see us cover in the future!!!