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Sarah A. writesCHIRP Goes to Forecastle 2015: Day One
[ In what's become an annual trek south, CHIRP DJ and Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Avampato is reporting this weekend from Louisville, Kentucky, covering the Forecastle music festival, which blends art and music with environmental activism, through the festival's charitable foundation. ]
Sometimes, the weather's perfect for a music festival -- just enough sun, just enough breeze, just enough clouds.
And sometimes, you've already sweat through your clothes before the first act is even three songs in.
The tone was seat early for Forecastle this year -- it's going to be a scorcher, so take it easy.
Despite a jam-packed festival schedule, I did my best to ease into the day. Better to hear a few songs then go sit in the shade, than to drop from the heat.
The first act I got to see was 21-year old Parker Millsap, an Oklahoma-born country influenced songwriter. Not knowing much about him other than his name and his genre, I was absolutely captivated by his set. His songs were very memorable -- one was a touching track telling the story of a boy coming out to his religious father, another was the flip opposite in tone, spinning a wild tale about fairy tale characters that lose their jobs and turn to things like prostitution and cooking meth to bring in the money. Towards the end of his set, Millsap introduced a few songs by saying "now we're gonna do some songs about the devil" -- and if I weren't already hooked by his music, I sure would have been then. His voice and his songs are much bigger than his years, that's for sure.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesFriday MP3 Shuffle: Happy Birthday Vince Guaraldi Edition
It would be very difficult to be a young child growing up in the ‘80s or ‘90s with a TV set in the house to not come across at least one of the Charlie Brown specials on a yearly basis. And it would be impossible to think about those cartoons without thinking of the music Vince Guaraldi created for the Peanuts gang. The idea of adding music from a ‘60s Jazz trio to a children’s cartoon probably seemed a little left-field at the time. It turned out to be a genius idea by series creator Charles M. Schultz and his creative team, as Guaraldi’s alternately languid and sprightly piano, always played with an undercurrent of melancholy, matched Schultz’ characters and world perfectly. Guaraldi’s cool, graceful pieces made Charlie Brown’s travails a little easier to endure for young audiences while also adding some real sophistication to their music experiences.
Wish a posthumous Happy Birthday to this jazzman by taking your MP3 player, pressing the "shuffle" button, and sharing the first 10 songs that you hear:
spikeydlux writesIn Rotation: The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club
Power pop is music built for summer: power chords and pool parties, sweet harmonies and starlit nights, bicycles and popsicles, tan lines and fruit wines. The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club knows this. The Chicago band’s new album Rock and Roll Motorcycle Dinosaur dropped this week, and its cool tunes are perfect for these hot days.
The band’s five members have been playing and recording together since 2009, making what they call “roughed-up power pop” that blends elements of glam, surf, psychedelic, pop and punk into irreverent, rowdy fun.
Hear them in rotation on CHIRP Radio, listen to the new album in full on their website , or catch them live this Saturday, July 18, at the Bottom Lounge for a record release celebration.
Big Rob writesBig Rob Kerr Goes to Mamby on the Beach: Day 2
written by Big Rob Kerr
From a Comfortable Chair:
Day 2 of Mamby on the Beach was not nearly as exciting as the first but I am not entirely sure if that was possible. Sunday made me appreciate what a special event had been put together on Oakwood Beach this weekend. The quality of the festival was able to be soaked in Sunday.
The general setup of the grounds used the venues space well. A narrow grassy approach with vendors led beyond the third stage and opened wide to the beach. The Main stage on the left to the north and the Tent to the right on the south end. The lake was ever present in the festival backdrop and but enormity and atmosphere of the Tent stage was the real gem of the Mamby production.
Sunday did not have the afternoon "Will it rain?" speculation of Saturday, nor did have French producer Klingande, canceling due to reported visa issues. The moment of day 2 of this new and exciting festival was when the mask, white glove and top-hat wearing Claptone played his track "Liquid Spirit" in the Tent. I must say raving in a giant tent on the beach with the beats from mysterious Germans was pretty great for a Sunday afternoon.
The gripes included in the Day 1 recap were still present throughout the weekend but the entire experience of the festival far eclipsed them. I can say at least for me, Mamby on the Beach was a highlight of the busy Chicago summer.
With Love,
Big Rob at the Beach
(Photos produced by Carpe Momentum Media and Da Black Swan and provided courtesy of Mamby on the Beach)
(Carpe Momentum Media)
Big Rob writesBig Rob Kerr Goes to Mamby on the Beach: Day 1
written by Big Rob Kerr
From the Red Line:
Empire of the Sun or Zhu was the biggest question of the first day at the first Mamby on the Beach festival on Oakwood Beach on Chicago's south shore.
There was a definite feeling out period needed upon arrival to Chicago's newest beach fest. Young camera-ready bodies eager to be viewed were mixed in with the venerable house music lovers which made for a great new party environment Saturday evening. Anxious excitement became dancers bliss when Felix da Housecat took over at 5 in The Tent stage.
Mamby's big day one question was answered for me as Empire of the Sun ended the night and had me melted to the same dance spot that Röyksopp had me melted to directly before them. Every track from their album Ice on the Dune hit the crowd sonically as well as visually.
Conflict is present as always with these events as I loved the second half of Saturday's lineup of entertainment immensely, but I must say I am concerned about the elitism apparent at this Mamby on the Beach. The biggest example of this being that general admission ticket patrons could buy only beers and sangria, no hard liqueur for the masses.
Mamby provided all in attendance a fantastic chance to see artistic dance music presented on a grand stage but it was troubling to see organizers divide it's attendees. A+ for the talent but a B+ for the production. That said, I cannot wait for day two.
With Love,
Big Rob at the Beach
(Photos produced by Carpe Momentum Media and Da Black Swan and provided courtesy of Mamby on the Beach)
(Da Black Swan)