Summer solstice is officially upon this week, according to what I’ve read in the news and confirmed with Wikipedia (my unofficial source of infinite knowledge). Walking over to the 100 block of E. 3rd St, I head over to 8.0 in Fort Worth. It’s an early Thursday evening and I get the pleasure of spending it with friends who have trekked over from Dallas to catch a Bob Schneider show. Luckily, my friends arrived early enough to grab a great spot on the patio while I was at work and makin’ that dolla dolla bill y’all. I get there and start socializing with my friends as we wait for the 1st band. Someone in control of the house speakers decided it would be best to play the best of Collective Soul…THE WHOLE TIME! (don’t get me wrong, I like Collective Soul but a mix of music would have been nice). As we were chattin’ it up, it’s starts to drizzle even though the sun is still shining just behind a skyscraper in the distance. The summer breeze felt nice but the potential thunderstorm I heard roaring in the skies didn’t sound so good.
Ah, finally the opening act Luke Wade and his bandmates take the stage. I for one am not much for country music, and thought I was getting myself into a country show. (I assumed this from three performers on stage holding a violin, acoustic guitar and a stand up bass.) I mean c’mon, Luke Wade sounds like a country singer’s name, right? Moving on. (Side note: I just now checked out their Myspace page, looks like the violinist was not in their group photo, so I am going to assume the show was probably not the usual format that Luke performs his song. The profile name is “Luke Wade and No Civilians.” The No Civilians must of have had the night off.)
As they start their set and I realized I was completely wrong, according to their Myspace page, their genre of music is “soul/folk rock/tango.” (Slippy? Slappy…..Swanson? Samsonite!) I was way off! As the first song continues on, more of my attention is diverted to the band. The sound of their stand up bass was appealing to my ears. Nothing says awesome like a standup bass, this rule can be applied to pretty much all genres of music; well, maybe except death metal . The band gets a few songs in and the drizzle gets a little heavier, the band continues to play even though they’re starting to get a little wet and ½ way through a song, a string snaps on Luke’s guitar. They finish the song and then he looks over at someone in management and asks “What do you want to do?” At that point I turn around and look at the crowd, and a ¼ of the patio had taken shelter. Luke exclaimed that the rain was cool and you could tell in his voice he wanted to play on. Management decided to let them keep playing after a quick string change and pushing the band further back under the stage awning to keep their equipment from getting wet.
After a short wait, the band jumps back on stage and the drizzle starts to die down with no signs of thunder. People are returning to the open air patio where the smooth sounds of Luke Wade take the night. As I was snapping photos, another fellow photographer decides to walk over and have a convo with me. We talk about nerdy camera stuff and then he asks if I know of Luke Wade, I replied that this was my first time to see him, and he said, yeah we just bought his CD at the merch stand even though we’re here to see Bob Schneider. Obviously Luke Wade is doing something right. Luke later mentioned that the CD was released a few weeks ago and according to the all knowing internet, they had a CD release party at the Bass Hall recently. FANCY!
Overall, the set was an excellent listen. I observed a good crowd diversity spread across the patio, enjoying good times and good music. Luke Wade was the right choice to start it off and his acoustic set was a perfect mix to go with the warm summer night.
You can listen to a few songs on the Luke Wade and No Civillians Myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/lukewadeandnocivilians) or listen to samples of the new album on iTunes. Luke Wade will also be performing over in the new West 7th development at the SW corner of 7th St and Norwood (http://west-7th.com/events.php) on Wednesday, June 30th at 7 pm. Be sure to take advantage of your summer and check it out.
Here is an amazing sounding band that drags music to another level. Combining electronic sounds with standard instruments, these guys cook up a feel that will suck you in for more. Just when you are not sure about these guys, keep listening and you will find the vibe here is truly unique and powerful.
Since the beginning of this band, founder David Terry has come across a long list of people who have made Aquaduct come alive. Currently the members are Matt Nader, Andrew Rudd, and David Terry, all sharing various roles, between vocals, drums, programming, keys, guitar, and bass. This amazing compilation of sounds definitely needs to be heard by everyone. The elements of sounds and instrumentation are incomparable to anyone else out there. Although the vocals slightly resemble styles such as Sloan, nothing else can be compared. The songwriting is truly amazing and the flow of the songs is purely magical. Acclaimed as bedroom rock, really heavily using drum machines, David ties in the many elements here and blends them well.
You are in for a treat here. Track 1 starts out with a feeding back guitar and then an almost out of tune piano, followed by a drum machine loop and synth patches, and vocals put together so amazingly well. Track 2 uses quite a bit of synth patches and vocal distortion creating a great instrument of sound. The thought process behind this music is killer! The perfectly blended sounds of a marimba, distorted piano sound, and a very active electronic drum pattern, you won’t hear this anywhere else. Track 4 is a great mix of vocals and piano made into a great tune worthy of any listener! The next track starts as a subtle Circus beat, and ends up in a dirge-sounding verse, but later reintroduces that intro theme. Track 7, The Unspeakable, has a Beach Boys vibe and finishes off with a great energy boost. The final track, The Tulsa Trap, reminds me of Ben Folds in many ways. This is a great song to finish off with. There is a great synth patch used as a solo piece.
I don’t think I have ever heard this lo-fi of a sound ever sound so darn good! Every piece was in there deliberately and for a reason. This guy knows his stuff and deserves every bit of attention he can get.
My initial impression blew me away. The sound was a very nostalgic and classic sound, almost something you would expect from the 70’s or earlier!
But here The Orange Peels have reborn a great sound and really make it work. The songwriting is amazing, as is the instrumentation, and capture of total elements in this album. At moments I hear things I would have heard from the Moody Blues, for example.
The energy level in this recording is captivating. I would love to know their influences, but who ever they are, it’s evident the members of this group are talented and mature musically. With many drummers having participated on this recording, the core members are Oed Ronne, Allen Clapp, and Jill Pries. The sweet sound and production work heard here is a comforting feeling.
The album starts out with some wonderful sounds of some evidential influences, and by track 3, the title track “Circling The Sun,” is an upbeat poppy tune still very fitting with what they bring to the table. The tenderness of “So Right” with its light hooks and melodic vocals and chords, you will find yourself sitting back in your chair and listening intently to these guys. Back up to the faster tempos, now something you could about dance to, “I Don’t Wanna Shine” is almost a classic rock tune, with tight harmonies, driving rhythms and riffs. The obvious modern twists here are fantastic and very well done! Track 8, “Tonight Changes Everything” takes on a whole new form, with 12-string guitar up front and a hip beat, about forcing me to fall in love with this stuff! Their use of keys and strings is wonderful and written very well! The final tune, “How Green The Grass” is a happy song, danceable and very dreamy! You will want to hit repeat on this entire album after hearing this last track! I can’t believe it’s over already! I want more!
Go surf to the band’s site and you will see podcasts posted, and plenty of info about the band. When you are ready to buy the CD, check out the Buy link above, where you can also hear some samples!
You will love having this excellent CD in your collection of tunes, for any occasion. I can see this as great driving music, by the way!
Track Listing:
Something In You
California Blue
Circling The Sun
So Right
I Don’t Wanna Shine
Long Cold Summer
What’s It Like Mary Jo
Tonight Changes Everything
Boy In Space
How Green The Grass
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Going to have a lunch meeting with Russ Berger today about a new venture I am helping get going. Gonna be a great day!
Reviews
Going to have a lunch meeting with Russ Berger today about a new venture I am helping get going. Gonna be a great day!
