Review: Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps @ Off Broadway, 9/22/2011

Review and photo by Hallie Applebaum

See photo here.

The indie folk band from Minneapolis returned to the stage at Off Broadway to play old favorites from their debut release, “Backyard Tent Set,” and new material from their second album, “Little Wind,” released earlier this week. Great stage banter and infectious energy left the crowd dancing.

This entry was written by Tara, posted on September 23, 2011 at 4:38 pm, filed under Live, Review and tagged , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

The Peabody Opera House Unveils with Preview of Prohibition Documentary, 09/19/11

Eleven gives you VIP access to the Peabody Opera House, from the Nine Network’s preview of the new Ken Burns and Lynn Novick 3-part, 6-hour documentary Prohibition, which airs Sunday–Tuesday, October 2–4 at 7PM on Nine PBS (with immediate replay at 9PM); repeats October 4–6 at 1AM and at 3AM; and October 9, 16 and 23 at 2PM.

Ken Burns so eloquently introduced their work (paraphrased):

You just can’t do The Civil War
… Mark Twain
… Lewis & Clark
… Jazz
… Baseball
… The National Parks
… Prohibition
without St. Louis.

Amen, Ken Burns.

And here’s the Peabody Opera House.


Photography by Tara Pham

Many thanks to the Nine Network, especially Juard van Dijkhorst, for their amazing service as public media to the St. Louis region; to the Peabdoy Opera House, especially Darren Hall, for opening its doors again and for opening them to Eleven on multiple occasions already; and to The Able Few and Hughes for a phenomenally informative website. Read all about the Peabody’s incredible history at http://peabodyoperahouse.com.

This entry was written by Tara, posted on September 20, 2011 at 7:05 am, filed under News, Photo Gallery, Review and tagged , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Live Review: Foo Fighters at Scottrade Center, 09/17/11

Review by Dakota Hommes
Photo by Danny Hommes

 

The Foo Fighters had two openers, so let’s get that out of the way first.

Mariachi El Bronx, the alter-ego of hardcore band The Bronx (it’s a little confusing; they’re not even from the Bronx, they’re from LA), took the stage in their matching black and red mariachi outfits. While at first a little confused, I was pleased to hear their unique sound. They combined mariachi and punk music in a really cool way. Their drummer, a Buddy Holly look-alike, played a cocktail kit that sounded awesome. It was clear that the whole band was having a blast.

What can I say about Rise Against? The bass player was solid. The singer had a lot of enthusiasm. That’s the positive stuff. The drummer was weak. The songs sounded the same. The guitarist can kick his foot above his head and does so at EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY. But, they made the Foos sound better. Gotta give them that.

The Foo Fighters finally took stage and opened with “Bridges Burning,” the first track of their new album. Playing a great mix of old and new songs, the set lasted three hours just as Dave promised. Many of the songs had extended endings and “Stacked Actors” featured a guitar battle between Chris Shiflett and Dave Grohl.

Emphasizing on the epicness of their rock music, the stage had a platform that extended all the way across the floor of the arena. Scottrade is pretty big. There was also a riser at the opposite end. It doesn’t get any bigger than singing lead vocals for a band all the way across a stadium. They also had an awesome light show.

“Young Man Blues” was covered by Foo Fighters for VH1 Rock Honors The Who in 2008. Since then, they’ve been playing it at most of their live shows including the one last night. They also led us in Tom Petty and The Heartbreaker’s “Breakdown.”

At the beginning of the encore, Dave played a few songs on acoustic before being joined by the rest of the band. Finally, the best possible song to end the night, “Everlong.” This is my favorite Foo Fighters song as well as that of many other fans. It has the amazing quality of meaning something great to everyone who hears it even though everyone hears a different meaning. If you enjoy any form of rock, go see Foo Fighters in concert. They’re the most accessible great rock band on tour.

 

This review adapted and published from Dakota’s blog, Anti-Formula Review.

This entry was written by Tara, posted on September 18, 2011 at 4:26 pm, filed under Live, Review and tagged , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Live Review: Bon Iver at The Pageant, 09/11/2011

Review by Annie-Rose Fondaw
Photography by Jarred Gastreich

The Bon Iver origin fable of isolated cabins and the frozen forests of Wisconsin has long framed the band’s aura of reflective solitude. While Sunday’s concert at the Pageant had moments of Bon Iver’s iconic hushed intimacy, Vernon and his eight-piece band commanded a broad spectrum of dense, lushly orchestrated sounds. From reverberating lashes of percussion to spiraling harmonies and schmaltzy synthesizer, the performance highlighted Bon Iver’s ability to bring a dizzying variety of textures and tones to their artistic scope—all while remaining rooted in the emotional sincerity that endears them to so many listeners.

Opening with “Perth,” Vernon’s raw falsetto arched over a simple guitar melody, gathering intensity and instruments until finally erupting in a rousing chorus. The pattern held over through much of the set, starting off with sparer arrangements and moving towards kicked-out jams with a cacophony of instruments. A stand-out rendition of “Blood Bank” (on a stage bathed in red lights) brought a flurry of horns and brass, while “Creature Fear” ratcheted the audience up to a fever pitch during Vernon’s guitar licks. Though a divisive track among fans, the live incarnation of “Beth/Rest” more successfully transcended its saccharine-sweet 80’s synthesizer, becoming instead an ethereal swell under Vernon’s lilting voice.

The performance’s softer moments brought equal appreciation from the audience, who sustained a warm relationship with Vernon throughout the show, often singing along to the plaintive refrains. The final song, “Skinny Love” had the audience clapping and singing along with the band, who abandoned their instruments to gather around two microphones. Vernon, standing at the edge of the stage with his guitar, finished the mournful love song with a grateful bow of his head. And even with all the bright stage lights and the writhing audience, it was hard not to feel the stillness and quiet of a cabin up North.

This entry was written by Tara, posted on September 12, 2011 at 6:23 pm, filed under Live, Review. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Review: Handsome Furs’ Sound Kapital, Show at Off Broadway 9/24

 

Written by Jon Lampe

 

When I get back home, I won’t be the same no more. The opening lines of Handsome Furs’ third album, Sound Kapital, point to a recent change in the band’s sound since their return from tour. The married couple, Dan Boeckner and Alexei Perry, have evolved their sound a bit with each release, and this album is no different.

Plague Park and Face Control showcased Boeckner’s guitar, sometimes a resounding cascade, sometimes a muted continuity that varies just before stalling. Perry’s previously timid synthesizers command the direction of this third album; contracting beats and opalescent keyboard alternate with Boeckner’s poetic thrashing to create electropop that’s made for dancing in the sweating, heaving dark. The sound relegates the guitar work to background fills. Not to worry, the Casio claps and fervent lyricism remain unaltered. Although it sounds formulaic for a throwback to the ‘80s, the frenetic energy and pained honesty keep the sound from becoming an anachronism.

The album has interpretive political undertones coinciding with the couples’ recent tour in Burma, but there’s something more personal happening here. With the recently announced hiatus of Wolf Parade and plans for Handsome Furs to record this January, Boeckner is hurtling through some career changes. Happily, it seems. The chorus of “Memories of the Future” repeats, “Nostalgia, never meant much to me,” and “Repatriated” concludes with “I’ve seen the future, I will never be repatriated.” Whether a commitment to the new sound or a letting go of the old, Sound Kapital is an album about catalyzing and accepting change.

If you still need to be sold after “Bury Me Standing,” “Memories of the Future,” and “Repatriated,” wait for the album’s refined culmination. While some tracks (“Damage” and “Cheap Music”) seem a tenuous exploration in the new sound, “No Feeling” remains dedicated, doing everything right. The cardiac bass and clipped vocals exploring apathy, the energy here is taut and contagious. If you’re looking for something to get your skin itching and your limbs twitching, this is it.

In Boeckner’s own words, “Here comes the future, violent and bright.”

Handsome Furs will be in St. Louis, transmuting young listeners into contracting musculature on Wednesday, August 24th, at Off Broadway.

This entry was written by Tara, posted on August 22, 2011 at 10:00 am, filed under New Music, Review, Upcoming and tagged , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Fest Coverage: Outside Lands in San Francisco, CA #osl11

Starting today, Eleven staffers Tara Pham and Nelda Kerr take San Francisco’s Outside Lands 2011 by storm. Follow their Golden Gate Park adventure online via @elevenmag #osl11. Following the festival, see blog coverage here!

This entry was written by Tara, posted on August 12, 2011 at 10:11 am, filed under Uncategorized. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 8/11 – 8/14/2011

This #weekend rocks. Again.

TODAY – THURSDAY, August 11rd

//1//

The Heavy Anchor has STL electronic punk rawkers (yes, really) Bug Chaser and Estevan, plus absolute face-melters Organized Sports from Portland and Brain Idea from Chicago. $5 for a killer 9pm show.

Latest tracks by Bug Chaser

 

//2//

KDHX brings Grammy Blues Award winner John Lee Hooker, Jr., to the Gramophone. Paint the town red to these Detroit-born Delta blues.

Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7. $8 adv/$10 door.

 

FRIDAY, August 12th

//1//

Awesome local acts Paper Dolls and The Reeling Gilly open for Chicago’s LUSTER at the Firebird, presented by the Loud Label and Do314. Jam out at 9pm. $8 gets you in, and an online RSVP gets you some free digital downloads from LUSTER and Paper Dolls.

 

//2//

The Gramophone hosts Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band and The Stone Sugar Shakedown for a night of straight funk. If you wanna get funk’d up, go to this show. That is all.

$8 for 8pm doors/9pm show with free BBQ on the patio on a first come-first served basis.

 

//3//

There’s an RFT Music Party at Off Broadway. We at Eleven have to admit: it’s gonna be rad. Kentucky Knife Fight, Bruiser Queen, Ra Cailum, and The Rats & People Motion Picture Orchestra performing an original score to Buster Keaton’s “The High Sign.” Need we say more?

$6 to get in at 8pm, show at 8:30.

 

//4//

Embrace your inner (and outer, you mustachioed beast) creative by attending the Luminary Center for the Arts‘ FORM Design Show‘s VIP Preview Party. The Art Institute of Chicago’s Curator of Architecture and Design, Zoe Ryan, is keynote speaker, while silent auctions on designer wares, free food and drank, and DJ’d tunes rock your world. Duff’s, Harvest, Labeebee’s, Randall’s, and Schlafly provide the libations.

$40 buys you in. And holy frack, here’s the lineup for the weekend: http://formdesignshow.com/participants/. Clearly, FORM is doing awesome things to get STL on the design map!

 

//5//

2720 Cherokee has Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow spinning. #dancedancedance

Andrew Wyatt, while performing with Miike Sno:

 

SATURDAY, August 13th

//1//

St. Louis is a music city and a river city – both influences evident at Saturday’s multiple record release parties for one of STL’s finest Americana groups, the Rum Drum Ramblers. Influenced by both punk rock and the Delta blues, the Rum Drum Ramblers, on the local Big Muddy Records label, have taken the city by storm. Their second album and first vinyl LP release Mean Scene drops on Saturday, August 13th, followed by two release shows with great music and free giveaways. Hear it first at STL’s own Vintage Vinyl at 4pm, and enjoy free Stag beer. Continue the party through the night at the Gramophone with BBQ, compliments of the venue. The Gramophone kicks off their celebration with the cookout at 6pm and Chicago’s Mississippi Gabe Carter at 7pm, followed by the Rum Drum Ramblers. The Ramblers don’t need the free booze or food to keep your attention—but who’s complaining about those perks? Cheers to a full day of music and fun the good ol’ STL way.

 

//2//

Apop does it again – this weekend bringing The Men. Yes, The Men. Bad Drugs (from Chicago) and Shaved Women join them. All we can say is GO. AND. RAWK. OUT.

Shaved Women, at Apop before:

Shaved Women live @ Apop Records from Chizmo.tv on Vimeo.

 

//3//

Chicago’s ever-catchy lo-fi pop rockers Animal City return to the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. They’ll play with kazoo-clad, acoustic Walter Mitty and his Makeshift Orchestra, San Luis Obispo, CA, and St. Charles’ own Nathan Ponzar. As always, $5 gets you into this 8-11pm show. Check it out.

Animal City at the Lemp in December:

 

//4//

Lola on Washington Ave has Funkin Right and Nappy DJ Needles
If the lineup alone doesn’t excite you, perhaps their Spike Lee (read: Rose Perez) -themed promo can get your body werkin’:

 

//5//

BIKE RIDING. YES. Tonight, the 48th annual Moonlight Ramble and the FBC‘s 78th Full Moon Fiasco coincide. It’s will be one crazy night of wheeled shenanigans.
The Ramble starts begins at Soldier’s Memorial downtown (14th & Chestnut) at 9pm, including glow-in-the-dark tee shirts, an 18-mile route, vendors, and after-party! (Buy tickets before the price goes up by $2.50 the night of).
The Fiasco starts at 11pm at Turtle Park (Oakland & Tamm, in Forest Park by the Zoo) and goes as late as the crew can ride/yell/drink/dance.

We won’t pick favorites… but we do tend to root for the free and the late-night.

 

SUNDAY, August 14th

//1//

Southern hardcore comes to the Old Rockhouse in the form of Nashville Pussy, along with veteran punks The Dwarves and local openers The Scam. You’ve seen the electric pink and yellow posters around, haven’t you? Prepare for chaos.

 

//2//

Catch more Sunday night RAWK at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center: 2 Ton Bug, Bees, We Are Empire, Carrion Decay, and Orion Pax. Word is that this show’ll be your last chance to see Orion Pax for a bit. Check it outttt.

 

****

Now get out there, St. Louis. 

This entry was written by Tara, posted on August 11, 2011 at 1:30 pm, filed under What's Going On and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 8/3 – 8/6/11

We at Eleven just wanted to get something up about just some of the AMAZING shows happening all week.

TODAY – WEDNESDAY, August 3rd

//1//

Local indie heroes Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three play the finale show of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Whitaker Music Festival. The Garden opens free to the public at 5:30pm and will be chock-full of picnickers and old timey Americana folk fans. Fresh off their July release Middle of Everywhere, Pokey and company will be a delightful soundtrack to your garden exploration and lazy snacking.

Here’s their NPR Tiny Desk Concert:

 

//2//

Cherokee Street’s beloved Apop Records brings the Coathangers, with Skarekrau Radio, Pink Sock, and Escalade. All we can say is: Prepare to have your face rocked off. Full details here.

 

//3//

Cults and Guards play the Firebird. Cults will bring you undeniably catchy lo-fi twee to bop around to. Guards rock, a la Portugal the Man or Suckers – definitely a band to check out.

 

THURSDAY, August 4th

//1//

Atlanta pranksters The Black Lips bring their shenanigans to the Firebird. Local openers Flaming Death Trap and Seattle’s Night Beats will get the mosh pits started.

Here’s Flaming Death Trap’s Stack Session at KWUR 90.3FM, St. Louis Underground Radio:

 

//2//

On the folkier side, Frontier Ruckus grace The Gramophone with their banjo-laden mountain music. Perfect to sip a craft brew to.

 

FRIDAY, August 5th

//1//

Screw Lollapalooza. We’ve got a show at the Gramophone with ultra-groovy Gardens and Villa, The Reeling Gilly, and Spectator. Enjoy the show for a chance to win LouFest tickets. RSVP here for free admission.

 

//2//

Off Broadway brings The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, with Craft Spells. The Pains’ yummy twee jams and Craft Spells’ tasty synth tunes will feed your music cravings.

 

SATURDAY, August 6th

//1//

Holy cow. Troubadour Dali throws their release show with The Blind Eyes, Ocean Rivals, and Secret Colours – new music bonanza! Troubadour Dali’s new album Let’s Make It Right kicks psychadelic-pop ass (we got it early from Euclid Records). The Blind Eyes just released their With a Bang in June, and have been playing a lot of shows to spread their ’60s pop vibes. Ocean Rivals also recently released Summer’s Dogs, in April, and their mellow guitar-heavy rock screams America. Secret Colours fits the bill, consistent with the psychadelic-tinged experimental rock of the night.

Here’s the Blind Eyes from inside one of the haning cages at the City Museum!

 

//2//

See some of hip-hop’s hardest, when Tech N9ne plays Pop’s with Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob, and Jay Rock. It’s undoubtedly going to be a wild show… slash dance-off?

 

//3//

If you’re in the mood for a short road trip, the legendary Blue Note in Columbia celebrates 31 years with a show with emo-folk sweetheart Bright Eyes. Here’s a Connor Oberst classic:

 

Now get out there, St. Louis. 

This entry was written by Tara, posted on August 3, 2011 at 12:30 pm, filed under Live, Upcoming, What's Going On and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Review: Stalley at the Gramophone 07/29/11

This past Friday, we caught Stalley’s St. Louis debut at the Gramophone, presented by Made Monarchs.

Known for showcasing his lyrical prowess and a beard of epic proportions, Ohio native Stalley rhymed effortlessly over bass heavy production Friday night and the Gramophone. The recent addition to the Maybach Music family displayed crisp, deliberate rhymes to an adoring crowd of hip hop heads. >> – Jen Everett

photos by Jen Everett

Eleven writer Tara Mahadevan shares:

I’ve never been to The Gramophone, nor have I been to a a hip-hop show in St. Louis—Stalley’s show at The Gramophone on July 29 was a killing-two-birds-with-one-stone deal for me. I have to say that it was a brilliant introduction, allowing me to sample multiple styles of St. Louis hip-hop, first with WilliamH, then Chalk Boyz, MVP, Whiteout and RT-FAQ. All these boys did Stalley justice; and when Stalley finally came out, everyone was roaring.

I admit that I didn’t know much of Stalley’s music before the show, but knowing wasn’t a necessity. The air was buzzing with excitement and elation, and this was enough for me. Not to mention seeing the humble Stalley himself—and when I say humble, I truly mean it.

Seeing Stalley for the first time, you are immediately struck by his long beard (it seems to be his ‘signature look’); his tattoos; his fitted hat covered in pins. Stalley is unassuming—he certainly doesn’t have an in-your-face type of personality; however, he isn’t someone to ignore. His humbleness combined with his music samples and rapping style, put a fresh spin on his particular brand of hip-hop. He was tremendously thankful, showing gratitude for his crowd between songs. Stalley’s music and personality is saturated with truth, and Stalley’s fans reflected this truth, rocking as he rocked with it; singing as he sang.

However, be sure to remember that Stalley isn’t from St. Louis. He’s Ohio-born and -raised—from Massillon to be exact. He constantly reps Massillon in his music, using the area code 330 as an identifier. His website is www.stalley330.com; one of his songs (which he was sure to play at the show) is titled 330. I’d say that his hometown love is not a concept unbeknownst to St. Louisans, as we are all proud of our 314 area code. Stalley undoubtedly fit right in.

All in a night’s work, STL.

This entry was written by Tara, posted on August 1, 2011 at 4:26 pm, filed under Live, Review and tagged , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Pitchfork Music Festival 2011 #p4k11

Check here and @elevenmag for the next 3 days for our official (and unofficial) coverage of Pitchfork Music Festival 2011!

This entry was written by Tara, posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:45 am, filed under Uncategorized and tagged , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

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