Dane101 - Music

Tuesday Tix: Bodies of Water, We Are Scientists, Eef Barzelay, She & Him, and Sera Cahoone

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:45:33 +0200

If I ever opened a music venue I think I would equip it with an air conditioning unit that felt like you were stepping onto the frozen plains of Antarctica. Today I spoke with a woman from Texas who claimed it was 105 degrees, “How’s the humidity?” I asked. “It never gets that humid,” she said in her regional drawl. I envied her. In the past couple days I have managed to sweat through my rather extensive t-shirt collection, even the ironic one’s purchased from a thrift store when I didn’t know any better. If this weather doesn’t let up soon I’m going to have to either do laundry or share with the world the hair on my nipples; I’m going with the former, nobody needs to see a topless Joshua James. This weeks shows come to us from the fine folks at True Endeavors and take place in venues that may or may not have A/C. The usual rules apply be the first to comment with the show you wish to attend and the pair of tickets are yours. Provided of course that you haven’t won in the last three weeks. On with the shows this is it!

Tuesday Tix Pre-Party: Habib Koite at the Majestic

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:15:37 +0200

Today isn't Tuesday, but we were just offered the opportunity to give away a pair of tickets for Malian guitar legend Habib Koite at the Majestic tomorrow night and we thought we should make an exception. The first person to comment below will win the pair and get in for free to see Koite. Putumayo World Music writers of Koite:

Quote:

plays music that reflects the diverse musical traditions of his Malian homeland while remaining connected to his cosmopolitan life experiences. Born in 1958 in Khassonké, near the border of Senegal, he developed his unique guitar style accompanying his griot mother. Accompanied by his band Bamada, Koité has released a number of successful and critically acclaimed albums, including Ma Ya and Baro on Putumayo.

FMF2008 Videos: Beeple versus Kyle Pfister

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:10:36 +0200

Beeple is a graphic designer and short film maker in Menasha. One of his primary forms of video work deals with the syncing of images on the screen and the sound of the music. When the organizers of the Forward Music Fest woke up one day and realized "oh, wow, this is really happening. We better figure out some interesting ways to promote this thing" Kyle Pfister, having worked with Beeple during a show at the Project Lodge, contacted the visual artist to see if he would be interested in helping out. Thus, the following two videos were born. One features Beeple interviewing Pfister about the fest and amusingly getting some facts wrong and the other is a clever ad highlighting many of the headliners taking part in the weekend long festival.

Touring Acts Coming to Madison in August 2008

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:00:59 +0200

One positive thing about rising gas prices, more bands are making Madison a priority stop as they cross the country trying to make a living. This summer was busier than usual for our music venues when it comes to touring national (and international) acts. August is no different as the summer fades into the always busy Autumn music season. I've tried to compile a list of touring acts coming through the city in August. I've likely missed some, so if there is a touring act you think should be on this list don't be shy and add them in the comments section.

August 3: If you are looking for a show that will literally rock your face off, I mean, seriously to the point where you will be calling the venue the next morning and asking “hey, did you find my face while cleaning up last night?” then you need not look much farther then this show at the High Noon. Not only do you get the Melvins, one of the most influential post-punk bands in the history of post punkedness, but you also receive an unhealthy dose of Big Business featuring bassist Jared Warren, formerly of Karp, and drummer Coady Willis, formerly of the Murder City Devils.

Band Camp – Metal 101

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:15:21 +0200

Metallica. Pantera. Megadeth. Their albums lived in my CD player when I was in high school. However, the heavy metal genre changed in the late 90s, as bands like Korn, Drowning Pool, and Linkin Park became popular. A lack of interest in these bands caused me to lose touch with my "metal side."

When a friend informed me she had an extra ticket for the JJO Band Camp show at Willow Island on Sunday, I decided it was time for a hard rock reeducation. I missed the power guitar riffs and drum solos that comprise metal, and was anxious to experience it live. I was familiar with some of the bands. Ra, Hurt, Theory of a Deadman, and Seether receive significant airplay, providing an overview of the course.

Music Around Madison: Friday July 25 and Saturday July 26

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:00:46 +0200

Here are some musical events occurring around these parts this day and the day after this day.

Dane101 and the Majestic are presenting a "Rock Band Night" tonight. Ten "rock bands" will be doing battle on the main stage to see who is the ultimate virtual rockstar (XBOX 360 version). Everyone is welcome to come try their skills in between rounds. More information is available here. 8 p.m.

At the Project Lodge, K Records recording artist Jeremy Jay will be bringing his Buddy Holly/Interpol influenced songwriting to the intimate stage. He'll be joined by TD Reisert and Black Umbrella. 7 p.m.

Box Social and Quinn Scharber bring bacchanalian abandon back to Montmartre

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:02 +0200

Half a year ago, Madison’s The Box Social and Milwaukee’s Quinn Scharber and The... spent one of the coldest nights of the winter blowing the minds of Café Montmartre’s packed house of thrillingly rabid booze-soaked fans. If you were one of the lucky masses in attendance that night, you know that both bands performed with an electric energy delivered from complete sincerity, honesty and confidence about the work they were there to present. To say that the evening was special would be a massive understatement. This Thursday, the bands will be back to do it all over again.

Tuesday Tix: Dub Trio/The Gusto

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:00:54 +0200

Having narrowly escaped the unemployment line we now take you to our ticket hero writing up his resume and writing this column which he thinks can exemplify his skill in multi-tasking. That’s right this week is an all-star salute to the search for a new job...damn do I love a good theme. As always thanks to the High Noon for the tickets, and thanks to Dane101 for giving a schlep a chance. In the business this is what we call brown nosing or in some more crass circles kissing ass. Win tickets below. First to comment gets to go and one pair for each show.

Music Around Madison: July 18 and 19

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:30:05 +0200

Check out this coincidence, the image on the cover of the new Crustacean Records DVD is an obvious nod to Batman and the DVD is being released on the same weekend that the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, hits the screen. What do you think of them apples?

Anyway, another summer weekend in Madison means another busy weekend in Madison. Maxwell Street Days starts today and runs until Sunday all up and down State Street. If you were wondering how State Street construction might impact the festival of consumption, no worries, a check yesterday revealed things were rather nicely cleaned up and sidewalk space will be readily available. In addition to downtown shopping, the Dane County Fair is in full gear at the Alliant Energy Center with plenty of fun for the whole family. Pride Fest kicked off last night at the High Noon and continues until Sunday with events all over the city. Other than that, as always, we have a boatload of music to check out.

Notes On A Scene: Madison Area Music News 2008 -Week 29

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:11:21 +0200

The updates from the music scene have been sparse as we float through the summer music doldrums.

Saturday is a big night for Crustacean Records as the Madison-based record label unleashes the new DVD Drown Out the Daylights. The film will be screened at the Majestic Theater starting at 8 p.m. followed by performances by Mad Trucker Gone Mad (10 PM), The Skintones (11 PM), The Gusto (midnight) and Screamin' Cyn Cyn & The Pons (1 AM). This rockumentary takes a look behind the label and features interviews and performances by the label's artists.

Forward Music Fest announces second wave of artists

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:05 +0200

Yesterday the Forward Music Fest, a citywide music festival taking place throughout Madison September 19 and 20, unveiled more, but not all, of the artists that will be coming. The current announcement adds more than 40 acts to an already ambitious line-up with even more waiting in the wings. The list is below. Wristbands are on sale now for $25 and a limited number of VIP badges are still available for a $10 upgrade. VIP badges allow a very limited number of individuals guaranteed access to shows of their choice. Wristbands can be ordered at the Forward Music Fest 2008 website.

All My Little Words about Magnetic Fields coming to Madison

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:02:00 +0200

In March of 2008 the Magnetic Fields performed six shows over three days in Chicago. It was part of the band's first tour since 2004 and half of my friends had made plans to make the jaunt down I-90 to see one of my top 20 favorite bands of all time. I didn't go... and I honestly can't remember why. Now, every time a Magnetic Fields song plays, I feel a little pang of regret. Certainly Stephen Merritt, with his apparent aversion to lengthy tours and preference of playing multiple shows in one city over a series of nights, would never bring his band to the flyover city of Madison, Wisconsin?

Well, to my delight, I was wrong. Stephen Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, a band that defines the emotion and complexity of love better than most, will be coming to Madison on October 11 for a rare show at the Overture Center's Capitol Theater. So, in honor of this occasion, I present my personal top 10 favorite songs by Magnetic Fields (not really in any order):

Why Poison still matters.

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:21:47 +0200

When I was in grade school, I thought learning your instruments was the last step at being a musician in a band. After all, who has money for instruments when you are a kid? In the meantime, we figured we would work on our dance moves and how “cool” we looked together playing. So, in Tim Wendland’s basement, three friends and myself would put on Poison’s “Unskinny Bob” and air guitar, air drum, air bass and lip sync our instruments. Luckily, I was taking drum lessons at the time and my instrument was already chosen for me. My friends, however, had to vote on who should play what instrument. This, of course, already caused in-fighting within the band. Who has the flare to be the lead singer? Who has the bad attitude to play lead guitar? Who is going to get stuck playing bass? Eventually, this was all worked out and we voted on the band name, “T.A.N.G”. (Tim, Adam, Nate and Greg).

The High Noon prepares a seven-course rock-n-roll buffet

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:45:22 +0200

Prepare to get your local music feast on — all over again. Starting at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday July 13 the High Noon will host the 2nd Annual Rock & Roll Buffet local music festival. The now annual event features the same “seven bands for seven bucks” buffet-style format as last summer as well as the purposefully diverse and eclectic lineup of seven Madison bands, served up in succession throughout the day.

Easing you into the seven hour long local music binge will be the palette cleansing, bluegrass and Celtic-inspired Old Tin Can String Band. In an era of overproduction, the five-piece, all acoustic group is the perfect way to settle in at the High Noon and prepare your ears for a long feast of assorted local bands.

Sound of Milwaukee: John Mayer at Summerfest

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:15:39 +0200

At the risk of sounding gushy, John Mayer at Summerfest 2008 was totally wicked awesome.

The mark of a great performer and highly talented musician is someone who can bring a crowd of 17,000 people from all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles together for 2 hours of utter musical and wit-filled entertainment.

John played an array of older songs that he deemed “his roots”, new music we haven’t heard before, current hits, and all-time favorites. He rocked harder, serenaded softer and wooed everyone from teeny boppers to grandmas (and some dudes, too, I think).