Video: Tower Groove Records Carnival performing artists

Socialism has gotten a bad rap of late — OK, at least since the 19th century — but the collectivism, share-and-share-alike spirit of Tower Groove Records is pretty inspiring. The coalition of umpteen St. Louis bands has a mission of getting the word, and the records, out about a pretty wide range of rock, folk, punk and experimental music in town.

Welcomed by KDHX, the Tower Groove Records Carnival, an event aimed at funding a sampler of the bands, happens this Sunday at Off Broadway. Some 19 or so bands will be performing short sets, both inside and out, and games, food, clowns and a silent auction are also on tap. The carnival runs from 2 p.m. to midnite.

So I put together a list of four videos of recent Live at KDHX sessions by some of the Tower Groove Bands.

Hope to see you at the carnival on Sunday.

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Posted by | September 3, 2011 | Local, Music, Video/Film | Comment 

A master and a masterpiece: Pablo Casals and the Bach ‘Cello Suites’

Pablo Casals

wikipedia/commons

Editor’s note: 57 years ago this month, Pablo Casals, at the age of 77, gave a remarkable performance from Bach’s legendary “Cello Suites” in an ancient abbey in France. The recital was filmed, resulting in a rare document of the maestro.

Tom Healy reflects on Casals and the “Cello Suites” in this review of a recently reprinted, classic study of Bach’s masterpiece. Amazing video of Casals playing in the abbey after the jump.

“The Cello Suites: J. S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece”
Eric Siblin

Grove Press, 2011 reprint, 336 pp.

“The difference between the reputation Bach enjoyed in his lifetime and that which he accumulated posthumously is one of the remarkable phenomena in the history of music.” – Percy M. Young

I consider J. S. Bach’s “Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin” the most beautiful music I have ever heard. Like nearly all of my (sadly limited) favorite classical music, Bach demands many hours of attentive listening. An appreciation of him is all the more rewarding because I used to live in fear of Bach and the possibility that his music was beyond my comprehension; his was the exalted realm of people I held in awe: Yngwie Malmsteen and Yo Yo Ma, the torment of my musical inadequacies made incarnate.

At any rate, after a slow initial sneak attack, Bach’s “Cello Suites” still challenge me. With one instrument to focus on, in time I am confident that I am hearing nearly everything, whereas in a symphony of voices, I am easily lost.

For musicians Bach can be an ideal frame of reference for harmony and tonality. Working within Baroque and Lutheran liturgical constraints that are severely limited by today’s standards, he constantly finds unforeseen avenues and manages to sound fresh 300 years later. You could do worse.

With Bach, the moment we presume intimacy, materials shift and re-assemble to generate new twists and new expectations which are in turn, unfailingly, crushed. Here is an unusually detached means of our watching our little minds at work, struggling with the defeats of our incessant, spontaneously-generated assumptions. Sometimes Bach, obviously the consummate music listener, seems a mischievously amused presence.

Most of what I know about writing music stems from songwriting, where what starts as in impenetrable confusing mass gradually recedes, (though things unforeseen and serendipitously magical remain.) An eventual familiarity is attained, though something, with any luck (if it is good), is left deliberately resistant to interpretation — some calculatedly non-resolving and non-resolvable stuff — some of it in the lyrics.

With Bach’s violin “Sonatas and Partitas” and similarly with the “Cello Suites,” I am not sure it is possible to feel a secure orientation, or even to remember entire sequences and transitions, at least not without complete immersion on a scale akin to practicing them every day as cello legend Pablo Casals did. They deepen.

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Posted by | August 10, 2011 | Music, Video/Film | Comment 

The making of Née’s “Magic Love” video

Née

John Donahoe

Since the release of The Hands of Thieves EP, Kristin Dennis of Née has spent the last several months becoming a “pop” artist — a requirement of which, is of course, the music video.

Though the inspiration for the choreography was a result of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” Kristin’s concept for the “Magic Love” video was aimed more towards a “junior high talent competition” feel.

“I asked my friends Lauren Keefer and Kimber Hall if they would be interested in choreographing and performing with me,” she explains by e-mail, “and, as good lady friends, they agreed. We had several multiple-hour practices at the studio I share with David Beeman on Cherokee where we watched videos that had certain vibes I was hoping to capture. Lauren and Kimber really added a lot to the process of choreographing as well as refining the creative direction of the video. Of course, the boys were really amazing as well. I am proud to have friends that I can work with who see what I’m trying to accomplish and can get behind it and really add to the effort in meaningful ways. Also, Off Broadway was the absolute perfect place to shoot. I had it in mind from the beginning, but when we got there and I was testing the lights… it became magic.”

Of all opportunities afforded to pop artists, Kristin is particularly fond of the requirement that one not take oneself too seriously.

“Née’s songs are often lyrically heavy,” she says, “but placing those sentiments in a much lighter sonic setting takes it beyond the ‘I’m writing a song about my feeeeelings’ arena and into a place where I feel I can be far more creative with my approach and do things that might be out of place if I was trying to be more Elliott Smith.”

And she is looking forward to expanding on that vibe as she continues work on the new Née record, which she hopes to release in September. Also in the next month you can look forward to more Née videos, a B-side and a cover of the Robyn song, “Call Your Girlfriend,” which will have an open casting call.

“We shot [“Magic Love”] without a crew or any budget (although I totally did spend $20 on sequins at Hobby Lobby),” she stresses. “David [Beeman] hit the lights, Lex [Herbert] hit the boombox and the stage light and Mic [Boshans] pressed record on my camera.”

So that’s how it came together, with a lot of practice, patience and even more sequins.

Magic Love by Née (Official Video) from Kristin Dennis on Vimeo.

Directed by Kristin Dennis
Shot at Off Broadway 6/27/11
Choreography by Kristin Dennis, Kimber Hall and Lauren Keefer
Cast: David Beeman, Michael Boshans, Kristin Dennis, Kimber Hall, Lex Herbert, Lauren Keefer
Budget: $20
Crew Members: See Cast Members

Posted by | July 15, 2011 | Music, Video/Film | Comment 

Video: Head and the Heart perform in-store at Vintage Vinyl, Monday, June 13

The Head and the Heart – Lost in my Mind from Jarred Gastreich on Vimeo.

The Head and the Heart came straight to St. Louis after Bonnaroo and put on an unforgettable, heartfelt, energy packed show. But before the sold-out show at the Duck Room they played a stripped down version of the band (only Josiah, Jonathan and Charity) at Vintage Vinyl for free. The approximately 30 minute set was very intimate and they treated us to a new song, not on the CD, called “My Friends” (if I heard correctly).

Video by Jarred Gastreich and Abby Gillardi

Posted by | June 14, 2011 | Concerts, Video/Film | Comment 

Shot of Love: Bob Dylan 70th birthday party highlights + video

Shot of Love finale at Off Broadway

The Shot of Love finale. Photo by Ben Mudd.

I try to be gracious when folks thank me for helping to organize these KDHX benefit and tribute nights. But it’s mostly selfish on my part. There’s nothing more purely fun and gratifying than being in a packed club, surrounded by friends and fans of KDHX, and hearing a slate of terrific St. Louis bands sing the songs of my heroes.

Friday night, May 27, 12 bands/artists played the songs of Bob Dylan for nearly five hours. They only scratched the surface of such a catalogue, but the scratches were deep and lasting all the same.

My highlights from Shot of Love, in chronological order.

Cassie Morgan and the Lonely Pine (aka Beth Bombara) singing “Corinna, Corinna” early in the evening. No, Bob didn’t write that one, but it’s a song that still demonstrates the not-so-secret origins of his music. Morgan captured the tone beautifully.

Elly Herget and Evan O’Neal of the Skekses tackling the little known “Billy,” an outtake from Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Emcee Cat Pick noted that the melody is identical to Neil Young’s “Powderfinger.”

Ryan Spearman filled in at the last minute for an injured Riley James. And he did so with a sweet and serious version of “The Times They Are a Changin’.”

Joe Stickley and Sean Canan turning in an elevated and swinging “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.”

Rough Shop tackling the rarely covered “Isis” and Anne Tkach really getting into the vocal delivery.

Cumberland Gap doing the wonderful waltz “Wallflower.” Greg Silsby is one of the best singers in St. Louis.

The return of Rebecca Ryan to the stage in St. Louis as lead singer of the Sparrows. To say the band’s version of “I Want You” was sexy is to somewhat understate matters.

Magnolia Summer getting all the rock lead out for an angry and loud “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.”

Dave Grelle of the Feed owning “Simple Twist of Fate” with a precise and beautiful piano melody.

Pretty Little Empire rocking “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” as hard as it’s ever been rocked. Video evidence below.

Karate Bikini rising to the occasion with a loud, thrilling “Like a Rolling Stone.”

Bothers Lazaroff swinging all the way through “Summer Days” and then leading everyone in “I Shall Be Released” and an unsanctioned but delightful “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35.”

If you missed the party, fear not. We’ll have video and photography for you soon, and who knows, perhaps we’ll do it again in a few years. Happy birthday, Bob.

Posted by | May 29, 2011 | Concerts, KDHX, Video/Film | 1 Comment 

Video: KDHX Blues Band at Midwest Mayhem

midwest-mayhem-bunny

The bunny rabbit meets Steve Ley. Photo by Roy Kasten.

Was a party ever more aptly named than Midwest Mayhem? I think not.

I had an excellent time running up and down stairs, seeing a bunch of great bands, meeting KDHX fans and sharing beers with fellow DJs. Last night was epic.

Thanks to all the hardworking KDHX staff and volunteers and musicians and dancers and City Museum staff and roller derby and hula girls and on and on. That’s what I call community. Special shout out to one of KDHX’s newest staff members, Chris Ward, who made for a great event coordinator and rabbit.

Video of the KDHX Blues Band (featuring 88.1 DJs John McHenry, Art Dwyer and Ron Edwards) rocking the party below. And mucho more video, photography and recap to come. Also check out A to Z Blog for some fun interviews with partygoers.

See you next May!

Posted by | May 13, 2011 | KDHX, Video/Film | 1 Comment 

Interview: Stephen Seward dives into local music video

Stephen Seward

Photo courtesy of Stephen Seward

Stephen Seward has a new spin on an old idea, the music video. As a photographer living in the St. Louis area, he has taken it as a personal mission to give St. Louisans an introspective look into the bands that fuel our city’s music scene. I sat down with Stephen to find out first hand what sparked his interest and how he plans on going about making videos in the future. His first video featuring Riley James and the Band Men can be found on Vimeo.

Kelsey Mclure: I am interested in why you started making videos, You are a photographer first correct?

Stephen Seward: Yes.

So when did you make the switch into video? Is it just a hobby?

I am a photographer that does portraits and weddings and I kind of wanted a project that was personal that I could separate from my business that was different that could kind of fuel my creative passion, I guess you could say. So that is what enabled me to do that.

The video that you submitted to us was Riley James, do you know the musicians before the shoot?

I knew the bass player Aaron and I have some others lined up now thru him since doing that video.

Can you say who you have lined up?

John Henry and the Engine.

Very cool.

Yeah, I am very excited about that.

What kind of equipment do you use?

I shoot with the [Nikon D300S], it’s actually a still camera that does video. It’s a little bit different than traditional video cameras; it gives a much more cinematic look without having to use tens to hundred thousand dollar cameras.

That’s one of the things I noticed. Do you do a lot of extra editing work to get the cinematic look as well?

My goal with the videos is instead of a traditional music video, to do something that is more of an artist statement. I want people to watch the videos and feel like they have learned something about the band. I want it to be kind of raw and real. I have always been driven towards live music as opposed to studio-recorded stuff so I think that I kind of want to reflect that kind of thing in my videos.

And I think you definitely do, just judging from that one video. My favorite part was at the end when they crashed around. To see these guys that were almost quiet in the video then at the end here they are just having fun. Do you have a basic concept for the videos? Well, I guess you kind of went over that by saying it’s a personal project.

Yeah and I kind of want….I think St. Louis in the last couple of years has really exploded as an independent music city. I think a lot of it has to do with that there are so many more venues now. Maybe it was kind of always there, but it just seems like there is so much more new stuff coming through St. Louis now. I just wanted to be a part of it in someway. I kind of want to represent St. Louis music through the videos. And I am also hoping to do some of them out and around St. Louis.

I agree, I think so and especially in the last 5 years but maybe like you I just wasn’t apt to it or aware but I think St. Louis has really picked up. There are just so many great venues.

Yeah, like the Old Rock House.

And Off Broadway, the Firebird. St. Louis is a great stop on the east/west journey.

Yeah, you think of Austin or Seattle as the big music spots for that type of stuff but St. Louis is going to be like that too.

I think we’ll come around. So are the bands you are wanting to shoot based on the kind of music you enjoy?

I don’t want to limit it to just bands that I like, but definitely local bands that can hit the logistics of being able to do that type of video. So I guess there are some limitations but I definitely don’t want to limit it to one kind of genre.

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Posted by | April 4, 2011 | Music, Video/Film | Comment 

The Top 10 Live at KDHX Videos of 2010

KDHX has been hosting live music in-studio since the day we began broadcasting on 88.1 FM, nearly 24 years ago. Recently, we developed a system for volunteers to produce video of these sessions — giving the public a peek into the studios of KDHX.

We hope you are enjoying the results. Here are some of our favorite live in studio videos from 2010.

Watch the full playlist at YouTube and subscribe to our channel today. You’ll never miss a single video.

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Posted by | February 18, 2011 | KDHX, Music, Video/Film | Comment 

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