Heliotropes at The Knitting Factory

Heliotropes are an odd band whose set raised many questions. Whose glasses were sitting on the monitor the whole time? Have I ever seen a violinist in a band this heavy? And what do you call moving your head faster than nodding but slower than headbanging? That is what their music inspires. While their stage presence could be stronger, musically Heliotropes put on a hell of a show. Which leads to one last question: who forgets to bring copies of their band's album to an album release show?!

Posted: 5/23/2012 at 6:04pm     Tags: Heliotropes  The Knitting Factory 

Feral Foster at 345 Jay St.

I am sure that I have put the Roots and Ruckus show (Wednesdays at Jalopy) on the recommended shows list a few times. One reason is this guy, "Feral" Matt Foster, who plays every time and is absolutely brilliant. It is one thing to have a voice which can fill a room but quite something else to actually sound good, to nail the quiet parts as well as the loud parts, and he can do it. Great stage presence too. Solo performers, catch him sometime you can watch and learn.

Posted: 5/20/2012 at 10:48am     Tags: 345 Jay St  Brooklyn Folk Festival  Feral Foster 

Billy Eli at The Gutter

Billy Eli must have been a little sick considering all the coughing he was doing before his set. Then he opened his mouth to sing and... not a hint of a problem. He wasn't even playing with his usual band (he was backed by The Rough Gems)! This guy is a real pro, despite which his songwriting stays pleasantly down-to-Earth. He manages to rock out while staying within a country idiom, not trying too hard to sound mainstream or "new country". Good stuff.

Posted: 5/8/2012 at 8:32pm     Tags: Billy Eli  The Gutter  The Rough Gems 

Zack Orion and Ardeshir Mountain at The Gutter

While the sound at The Gutter is certainly excellent, as a photographer I do wish the lighting were a bit more even. Here are some lovely portraits of Zack Orion sitting in the spotlight and his band Ardeshir Mountain standing in the dark. Fortunately most of us were there to listen to Zack Orion not to gaze upon him. That's a good idea, 'cause he and Ardeshir Mountain are damn good at playing their slightly modern, very catchy style of bluegrass.

Posted: 5/8/2012 at 7:26pm     Tags: The Gutter  Zack Orion and Ardeshir Mountain 

Alana Amram and the Rough Gems at Bar Matchless

Yet another of my "Study In Orange" series which by some amazing coincidence has been shot entirely at Bar Matchless. For a band on an all-country bill Alana Amram and the Rough Gems were notably mellow, although poetic might be a more apt description. Many of their best songs were soulful like an elegy. In other songs they did rock out, but nobody was going to confuse them with a honky-tonk band. They are a storytelling band.

Posted: 5/4/2012 at 7:56pm     Tags: Alana Amram and the Rough Gems  Bar Matchless  Brooklyn Country