Boats out of Winnipeg are really getting some buzz. Noisy pop with hooks galore, and great lyrics about unusual themes. The first time I heard “Great Skulls” I just hit repeat repeat repeat. Stream the album for free at Kill Rock Stars.
Monthly Archives: March 2013
Marnie Stern- She’s Killer
Every female at sxsw wanted to be Marnie Stern from Kill Rock Stars. She has made many “Greatest Female Guitarist” lists due to her confident and technical fretboard tapping style. Heavily layered music with so much jingle-jangle it almost makes my head spin, this is perfect music for exercising or dancing frustrations away. She can scream with the best of them, too, while at the same time coming across like a modern day Juliana Hatfield.
quick video of her shredding technique
Festival and Concert Hair- for the Ladies
Fellas, this one is not for you, put a baseball cap on, grow some dreads, rock a bowl cut, no one is looking at you. Ladies, concerts are your time to look like a cute little fairy rockstar, and I have a couple cute suggestions that work for me. Many of you can put your hair in a ponytail and go. Something about the way I dance causes that ponytail to turn into a tangled rat tail, so I often go for pigtails since they lay lower and don’t tangle or smack people behind you in the face.
For the past few years, feather hair clips were a hot item. Now it’s all about the permanent streak of funky color. Here’s Selena Gomez rocking blue:
Blue, purple or teal is great for brunettes, while blondes have been going for more pinks and corals. Blondes-a warning: pink dye loves blonde hair. The other colors tend to fade, but not pink, so make sure you really like the look before you get it done. Below is my hair. That’s about a year and a half of layering various colors so my hair wouldn’t fall out just because I wanted to look like a My Little Pony:
If physically destroying your hair for the sake of looking funky isn’t your thing, then you are in luck. Braids are HUGE and Pinterest has more tutorials than you can shake a stick at: Braid Hairstyles from Pinterest
Lastly, we have the flower headband which is big this year. In past years girls wore headbands around their foreheads, and I can’t stand them because they always make your hair do this:
It makes the hair by your part all puff up weird and your head looks like a lightbulb. Seen this WAY too much. Instead, go for this. Much prettier look, doesn’t leave a line across your forehead, and who doesn’t like letting their inner flower child out when dancing at Red Rocks (or your local venue):
Or if you are a next-level concert-goer, go big:
Heck, combine em together and suddenly you are Drew Barrymore during her really good style years! Happy dancing, ladies!
New track- Kurt Vile “Never Run Away”
Kurt Vile is a great guy. I once drunkenly got him to play piano with me (I don’t play piano) in the green room at Mohawk in Austin, and I think he even got me my next drink. Is that name-dropping? It makes it more personal and we know for a fact he’s nice. Anyway, his new track “Never Run Away” is fantastic. Play it in the car. Follow the Spin link below and download it for free:
Jake Bugg – and what were YOU doing at 19?
Jake Bugg from Mercury Records is the real deal. Comparisons to Dylan abound by critics, he’s got the retro folk sound down. I do not get starstruck ever, but when I saw him at sxsw I couldn’t even go up to him, I was so intimidated. He’s got “it”. English kid raised on Donovan and The Beatles, he picked up the guitar at 12, and now at 19 he’s ready for the big leagues. Fans of singer/songwriters and folk will love him, he’s already big in the UK, he’s about to pop in America. Plus, he’s really cute. Check him out, he’s impressive and genuine and I wish I had his swagger.
Delicate Steve at Hi-Dive- Review
Delicate Steve of Luaka Bop played an exciting and searing show at Hi-Dive in Denver last night. The snowstorm we had all day caused for a lower turnout than I expected, but I love when that happens at that tiny venue. Don’t be fooled by the name, the only delicate thing on stage were this New Jersey guy’s elegant piano fingers shredding that guitar. All songs are instrumental, which I’m all about lately, you really get to focus on all the layers of sound they create. Their style of music is very positive though in comparison to a lot of the drudgy stuff I’ve seen lately, at moments having the entire audience jump up and down, and then being completely silent for two minutes, which I have always wanted to see work, a silent crowd and band. (Oh, for a Divided Sky with silence, shut up everyone!!) The crowd last night made sure that didn’t happen, however, they HAD to hear themselves say such funny things as “WOO” and “OK”. For maybe two seconds it was totally silent, and boy was that crowd exuberantly relieved when they dropped back into the song. They only have a few more dates for this tour, so keep your eyes open for his name. Delicate Steve Tour Dates
Akron/Family “Sub Genres” new album review
Akron/Family – This crazy experimental rock band from indie label Dead Oceans is famous for their wild, high energy live shows. The new album captures the joy and fun you feel at the shows perfectly. Layered and hypnotic, this album gets you to that blissful level. It kicks off with a bang with “No Room”, linked below, and the album blends so cohesively all the way to “Samurai”, leaving you with a feeling of peaceful calm. Fans of their earlier work are going to love this. They will be playing in Denver at the Larimer Lounge on 4/10, buy your ticket now, it will sell out.
You Me & Us – Fuzzy Beach Pop Punk
You Me & Us Just the distorted sweet but irritated vocals beachy fuzzy pop punk I’ve been looking for. There will obviously be many comparisons to Rilo Kiley, but You Me & Us get the point across in two minute punches that pack a lot of bite. Listen and download their EP in its’ entirety here and see them live ASAP: You Me & Us and tour schedule (and no, it doesn’t quite make sense to me either unless they book way in advance): You Me & Us Tour Dates
Concert Uniform #1: Photographer Edition
Just like any other job, being a concert goer and/or concert photographer requires a uniform. Luckily, the code is blue collar rock casual, so you get to look all cute and don’t have to wear stupid 3/4 sleeve button up dress shirts from Express (business casual, you are the worst). When shooting shows, I almost always wear a variation of the above outfit:
Black Shirt – because when you are in the photo pit, you are in front of EVERYONE and they didn’t pay to see you. Blend in, dress like the theatre techies from high school. Wow. I take fashion cues from Techies. Anyway, bonus point if it’s a black band tee. The older dudes love shirts from past jobs that say CREW, knock yourself out.
Denim Cutoffs – POCKETS oh pockets, how I love thee. Necessary for your camera lens, ID, and some cash because I don’t bring a showpurse when I have my camera bag. Fifth pocket for little important things. Also, I find myself climbing on stages, crawling over rows of seats, things that skirts just can’t handle.
Black Tights – I live in Colorado. And love Edie Sedgwick
Denim or Flannel Shirt – more pockets! Plus, it’s colder by the time shows let out, and I don’t want to be burdened with a coat if there is no coat check. And I’m a sucker for grunge fashion.
Hair Ties – discussed in showpurse article linked above
Boots or Other Sturdy Closed Toe Shoes – the blatant disregard for feet care at concerts is appalling. Unless you are at a big outdoor with a lawn or a small polite show, wear some closed toe shoes, ladies! You get stepped on, drinks are spilled, floors are disgusting, and at the end of the night, many of you complain about your feet hurting. Boots, sneakers, heck a pair of flats! Wear comfy shoes good for dancing and standing. If you wear heels and don’t complain though, you rock it girl, respect.
Wear a combination of this and you will be comfy and protected even in the most thrashing of metal shows.



















