Brian Ahnmark
On the first bitter day of the 2012 winter, visitors to Grandview's Woodlands Tavern were greeted by a roaring pit fire on the outdoor patio. 'Twas a harbinger of the Friday night to come, as three Ohio bands generated sufficient heat to melt the freeze.
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shows
Buffalo Killers, Nick Tolford and Company, Mount Carmel
Buffalo Killers, Nick Tolford and Company, Mount Carmel
Live @ The Woodlands Tavern
Live @ The Woodlands Tavern
Jenny Owen Youngs
Jenny Owen Youngs
Live @ The Basement
Live @ The Basement
The Ridges
The Ridges
Jess Meadows
The Ridges EP and live performance are a chilling and intriguing journey into the realm of the unknown.
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The Ridges EP and live performance are a chilling and intriguing journey into the realm of the unknown.
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Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band
Marty Connors
The last time Josh Ritter came to the Ballroom, I wrote a review for that show as well, so I will try not to retrace my steps here, but there is only so many ways that I can tell you how brilliant Josh Ritter is live.
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The last time Josh Ritter came to the Ballroom, I wrote a review for that show as well, so I will try not to retrace my steps here, but there is only so many ways that I can tell you how brilliant Josh Ritter is live.
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Southeast Engine
Southeast Engine
Brian Ahnmark
A veritable feast of songwriters brought all the warmth of a family gathering to the intimate venue, minus the pesky in-fighting and stilted interaction with distant relatives. 'Twas a welcome respite from the cold November night, complete with a cornucopia of snapshot-worthy moments.
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A veritable feast of songwriters brought all the warmth of a family gathering to the intimate venue, minus the pesky in-fighting and stilted interaction with distant relatives. 'Twas a welcome respite from the cold November night, complete with a cornucopia of snapshot-worthy moments.
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Jesco White
Jesco White
Wil Burton
Jesco cannot really be described in a written article. You have to see him in action. And although only a shell of his former self, due mostly to extreme gas-huffing over a long period of time, he can still put on a show with his feet.
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Jesco cannot really be described in a written article. You have to see him in action. And although only a shell of his former self, due mostly to extreme gas-huffing over a long period of time, he can still put on a show with his feet.
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Phantogram w/ Josiah Wolf
Phantogram w/ Josiah Wolf
Jason Turner
By the time Phantogram took the stage my concern about Carter’s dislike of empty rooms was all but forgotten. The room was tightly, but not uncomfortably, packed, with a disproportionately high number of faux-hawks, facial hair and flannel filling the space.
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By the time Phantogram took the stage my concern about Carter’s dislike of empty rooms was all but forgotten. The room was tightly, but not uncomfortably, packed, with a disproportionately high number of faux-hawks, facial hair and flannel filling the space.
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The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers
Brian Ahnmark
Perhaps most astonishing of all was the hair-raising spectacle of a crowd actually listening and reacting to the words. It seems increasingly rare these days to emotionally connect with lyrics, and it's made all the more rewarding when the quality of the verses is matched by the songwriting.
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Perhaps most astonishing of all was the hair-raising spectacle of a crowd actually listening and reacting to the words. It seems increasingly rare these days to emotionally connect with lyrics, and it's made all the more rewarding when the quality of the verses is matched by the songwriting.
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Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Brian Ahnmark
Watching Pearl Jam – Vedder, guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready, bassist Jeff Ament, drummer Matt Cameron and keyboardist Boom Gaspar – it boggles the mind to consider that they are in their mid-40s (with the exception of Gaspar, who is pushing 60). Men this age are supposed to be in bowling leagues, not on stage for two-and-a-half hours before 20,000 adoring fans.
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Watching Pearl Jam – Vedder, guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready, bassist Jeff Ament, drummer Matt Cameron and keyboardist Boom Gaspar – it boggles the mind to consider that they are in their mid-40s (with the exception of Gaspar, who is pushing 60). Men this age are supposed to be in bowling leagues, not on stage for two-and-a-half hours before 20,000 adoring fans.
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Southeast Engine
Southeast Engine
Brian Ahnmark
A loose, celebratory spirit infused the performance, comprised primarily of material from the band’s two most recent releases.
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A loose, celebratory spirit infused the performance, comprised primarily of material from the band’s two most recent releases.
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Live @ The Tree Bar
Live @ The Tree Bar
The Features
The Features
Brian Ahnmark
Tennessee quartet The Features have established a solid resume three albums deep, their catalog rife with tidy rock gems. Hints of British invasion mix with New Wave flavor and a modern edge.
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Tennessee quartet The Features have established a solid resume three albums deep, their catalog rife with tidy rock gems. Hints of British invasion mix with New Wave flavor and a modern edge.
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Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle
Live at Rumba Cafe
Live at Rumba Cafe
Brian Ahnmark
A performer to the core through every fiber of his being, Earle delivered self-deprecating, autobiographical laughs between stellar renditions of songs from his three major studio albums. The crackshot supporting cast – Bryn Davies on upright bass and harmonies, Amanda Shires on fiddle and backing vocals – was bolstered by surprise guest Jason Isbell on lead guitar.
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A performer to the core through every fiber of his being, Earle delivered self-deprecating, autobiographical laughs between stellar renditions of songs from his three major studio albums. The crackshot supporting cast – Bryn Davies on upright bass and harmonies, Amanda Shires on fiddle and backing vocals – was bolstered by surprise guest Jason Isbell on lead guitar.
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Rasputina
Rasputina
Samantha Bako
Once the black-clad top hat bedecked gentleman removed himself from the stage, the demure and modest trio of musicians took over. Known for their Victorian-era affinity, Rasputina embraces the spirit of the era by veiling naughty debauchery in prim and proper taffeta and lace.
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Once the black-clad top hat bedecked gentleman removed himself from the stage, the demure and modest trio of musicians took over. Known for their Victorian-era affinity, Rasputina embraces the spirit of the era by veiling naughty debauchery in prim and proper taffeta and lace.
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Tom Evanchuck
Tom Evanchuck
Josh Burton
When Tom Evanchuck took to the stage the atmosphere changed and the attention went to him when his guitar began to speak.
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When Tom Evanchuck took to the stage the atmosphere changed and the attention went to him when his guitar began to speak.
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Mates of State
Mates of State
Brent Andermann
They just sang and smiled at each other. After thirteen years of playing these songs together, their wasn’t one thing about what they were doing up there that wasn’t genuine. It was uplifting to see love translated into something that they can share with everyone.
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They just sang and smiled at each other. After thirteen years of playing these songs together, their wasn’t one thing about what they were doing up there that wasn’t genuine. It was uplifting to see love translated into something that they can share with everyone.
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The Lorax Tree w/ The Heights
The Lorax Tree w/ The Heights
Chad W. Lutz
Finally, around midnight or so, The Lorax Tree took to the stage and made quick work of sending all of us out there somewhere near Jupiter (or was it Saturn?). Their spacey sound I described as “weird”, with a smile, at the show, during another such awkward crawl, filled every square inch of space in the room.
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Finally, around midnight or so, The Lorax Tree took to the stage and made quick work of sending all of us out there somewhere near Jupiter (or was it Saturn?). Their spacey sound I described as “weird”, with a smile, at the show, during another such awkward crawl, filled every square inch of space in the room.
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The Whigs
The Whigs
Brian Ahnmark
The Whigs have concocted a potent recipe to slay the apathetic amphitheater crowd: rock-solid songcraft and a rambunctious stage presence custom-made to move the masses.
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The Whigs have concocted a potent recipe to slay the apathetic amphitheater crowd: rock-solid songcraft and a rambunctious stage presence custom-made to move the masses.
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Timid Blue
Timid Blue
Jason Turner
Between songs Steve was witty, engaging, and only very infrequently inappropriate, and during them he was right on point. Steve nails the wounded crooner vibe like it’s nobody’s business; wailing, whispering and almost always singing about love; wasn’t it great, couldn’t it be great again, why isn’t it great, etc. It’s a shame more people don’t put as much thought into their lyrics as Steve does.
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Between songs Steve was witty, engaging, and only very infrequently inappropriate, and during them he was right on point. Steve nails the wounded crooner vibe like it’s nobody’s business; wailing, whispering and almost always singing about love; wasn’t it great, couldn’t it be great again, why isn’t it great, etc. It’s a shame more people don’t put as much thought into their lyrics as Steve does.
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Cabin Fever Festival
Cabin Fever Festival
Brian Ahnmark
In the aftermath of another crippling Ohio Midwest'ner (Read: One inch of snow), I was faced with a Saturday conundrum: Brave the great unknown backroads of Southeastern Ohio enroute to the Cabin Fever Music Festival in Nelsonville, or twiddle my thumbs and curse myself come Sunday.
Easy decision.
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In the aftermath of another crippling Ohio Midwest'ner (Read: One inch of snow), I was faced with a Saturday conundrum: Brave the great unknown backroads of Southeastern Ohio enroute to the Cabin Fever Music Festival in Nelsonville, or twiddle my thumbs and curse myself come Sunday.
Easy decision.
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Foster the People
Foster the People
Live @ The LC
Live @ The LC
Rachel Mooney
With only a single album, it’s a wonder Foster The People had no trouble selling out nearly every venue on their current tour but they are, quintessentially, on fire.
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With only a single album, it’s a wonder Foster The People had no trouble selling out nearly every venue on their current tour but they are, quintessentially, on fire.
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Southeast Engine
Southeast Engine
Live at The Treehouse
Live at The Treehouse
Brian Ahnmark
The show opened with a curveball, as bassist Jesse Remnant and keyboardist Billy Matheny traded jobs. Remnant delivered a lovely, mournful piano instrumental straight out of an old-timey bar; it was a suitable display for the all-too-brief melody, which whispers by as a “tweener” on Canary.
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The show opened with a curveball, as bassist Jesse Remnant and keyboardist Billy Matheny traded jobs. Remnant delivered a lovely, mournful piano instrumental straight out of an old-timey bar; it was a suitable display for the all-too-brief melody, which whispers by as a “tweener” on Canary.
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Live at The MOTR Pub
Live at The MOTR Pub
Shawn Braley
Southeast Engine represents kindness to me. They’re songs about longing, searching, loving, losing…these are the universal truth’s we all know.
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Southeast Engine represents kindness to me. They’re songs about longing, searching, loving, losing…these are the universal truth’s we all know.
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Dawes
Dawes
Brian Ahnmark
It's a good bet Dawes won't be playing a tiny venue like the Rumba Cafe the next time they roll into town.
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It's a good bet Dawes won't be playing a tiny venue like the Rumba Cafe the next time they roll into town.
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Beach House
Beach House
Brent Andermann
Everyone swayed as Victoria Legrande bellowed, her voice and Alex’s guitar sent out walls of reverb that filled Beachland.
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Everyone swayed as Victoria Legrande bellowed, her voice and Alex’s guitar sent out walls of reverb that filled Beachland.
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The Black Keys
The Black Keys
Brian Ahnmark
The palpable electricity in the brisk river air peaked with the closing couplet of “Your Touch” and “I Got Mine.” Dan led the way on the former, nimbly picking the opening melody and slashing the guts out of the midsection with savage solos, weaved seamlessly around the hook.
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The palpable electricity in the brisk river air peaked with the closing couplet of “Your Touch” and “I Got Mine.” Dan led the way on the former, nimbly picking the opening melody and slashing the guts out of the midsection with savage solos, weaved seamlessly around the hook.
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The Spinto Band
The Spinto Band
Aaron George
I haven't been to many shows this summer, but The Spinto Band was probably the highlight for me. They sounded great, they had a good dynamic, and they kept their show fun.
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I haven't been to many shows this summer, but The Spinto Band was probably the highlight for me. They sounded great, they had a good dynamic, and they kept their show fun.
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Delta Spirit
Delta Spirit
Brian Ahnmark
Touring in support of their remarkable sophomore album History From Below, Delta Spirit turned The Basement into a certifiable choir rehearsal, resplendent with fist-pumps, hand claps and unsolicited harmonies.
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Touring in support of their remarkable sophomore album History From Below, Delta Spirit turned The Basement into a certifiable choir rehearsal, resplendent with fist-pumps, hand claps and unsolicited harmonies.
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Alberta Cross
Alberta Cross
Brian Ahnmark
An Alberta Cross concert is akin to a stick of dynamite: It sizzles until it ultimately explodes.
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An Alberta Cross concert is akin to a stick of dynamite: It sizzles until it ultimately explodes.
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The Felice Brothers
The Felice Brothers
Brian Ahnmark
The Felice Brothers made no attempt to contain their youthful vigor within the confines of Rumba Cafe's ridiculously small stage. James and Farley routinely swapped instruments; at one point, James stepped off the stage to play an organ that simply wouldn't fit on the riser; Ian repeatedly leaped onto the bass drum while playing guitar, swatted at the cymbals with his bare hands and toppled mic stands; “Run Chicken Run” featured some interpretive dance from Ian during a spirited accordion break by his brother.
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The Felice Brothers made no attempt to contain their youthful vigor within the confines of Rumba Cafe's ridiculously small stage. James and Farley routinely swapped instruments; at one point, James stepped off the stage to play an organ that simply wouldn't fit on the riser; Ian repeatedly leaped onto the bass drum while playing guitar, swatted at the cymbals with his bare hands and toppled mic stands; “Run Chicken Run” featured some interpretive dance from Ian during a spirited accordion break by his brother.
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