In Concert : Tennis @ Record Bar

With quick turn around from their 2011 debut album Cape Dory;  Tennis is currently on tour this summer with their second release, Young & Old.  While their first album was a scrapbook documentation of the husband-wife duo Alaina and Patrick Moore's voyage at sea, the second album retains a similar relaxed beach vibe with the addition of scuzzy down-tempo beats.  Teaming up with Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, the influence is heard; expanding Tennis' repertoire from retro 60's surf pop to a more dynamic indie pop.  Upon first listen you are instantly hooked by the catchy beats.  Young & Old is aptly titled - a contemporary spin to an homage of retro sounds.  However do not dismiss its overall depth; it is the storytelling and philosophical questions wrapped within the lyrics that makes Tennis an exciting new band to listen to.  

Game. Set. Match.

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In Concert : Foster the People + Kimbra @ Livestrong Sporting Park

Even after telling the crowd to "Settle Down," I couldn't help but to keep dancing and cheering while watching Kimbra perform.  Alright, maybe Kimbra wasn't actually telling the crowd to settle down, but singing one of the hit singles from her newly released Vows record.  This New Zealander is quickly showing she has some chops with a spirited live show and music that is way beyond ordinary pop, but infused with jazz, funk, and soul.

Later that evening, cut to Foster the People...a band that blew up in 2011 with "Pumped up Kicks" and pretty much any one of the other nine hit tracks off Torches.  They did not disappoint - keeping the energy high, the beats going, and totally morphing the second half of "Pumped..." into an epic dubstep remix.  Other highlight from the show included having Kimbra come back out to sing their infectious and summery collaboration "Warrior." <Insert dance party here.>

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In Concert : Caveman @ Record Bar

There are those people in life you meet for the first time that you swear you have met before and instantly connect with.  This is how I felt when listening to  Caveman's debut album Coco Beware.  Like a thoughtful summer breeze, Caveman brings a welcoming air of songs - brand new but with the familiar comfort as if you have been singing them forever.

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In Concert : Electric Guest @ The Granada

Electric Guest enter in unassuming white tees and jeans, the audience unaware that they are about to be taken on a hypnotic neo-soul pop trip.  Swaggering about the stage, Asa Taccone uses his larger than stature presence to puppeteer the crowd instantly in unison - swaying to deep bass grooves peppered with bright drums beats.  Track after track, Electric Guest's journey through their debut album, Mondo, is a refreshing and youthful rebirth to a genre of music to the likes of Motown Greats.

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In Concert : Cults @ The Granada

Int. Music Hall - Night

An empty stage with the exception of musical instruments. A noisy crowd amasses, pushing their way to the front with anticipation.  The lights are turned down low.

A saturated blue haze illuminates the audience as the CULTS arrive onto a dimly lit stage.  The crowd CLAPS and CHEERS thunderously at first sight of the band.  The stage backdrop transforms with cinematic imagery and a cross faded layer of sound sets way for the band's throwback to retro pop.

On the outer level, the Cult's music is seemingly sweet and cheerful. There is a playful exchange of vocals between lead singer MADELINE FOLLIN and guitarist BRIAN OBLIVION while the TING of Glockenspiel adds charm and character to their songs.  Underneath, their lyrics hold a considerable amount of tension. Their upbeat sound poses a mask for the dark storytelling of drug use and love-gone-wrong arguments, while the mysterious and sultry side of Madeline comes to surface in the slowed down, agony laden song "You Know What I Mean."

A perfect thread weaved between each song, the night ended as the band and crowd sang as one...

CULTS

"I really want to go out, I really want to go outside..."

End scene.

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In Concert : White Rabbits @ Jackpot Music Hall

Massive energy can be used to describe the White Rabbits stage presence.  The group's fiery combination between switching instruments back-and-forth in a musical chair-like tango, lead vocalist Stephen Patterson's rapid-fire pounding on the piano, and having (not one but) two drum sections leading the pulsing charge, shook the stage to a point of near collapse.

Flying low on the radar, this relatively unknown band has recently released their third studio album, Milk Famous.  Translating the energy on to vinyl, their album has a crisp clean presence of seasoned musical veterans.  Definitely a band on the rise to watch out for.  

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In Rotation : Walk off the Earth - Somebody That I Use to Know (Gotye)

Simple, talented, and creative, Walk off the Earth present a stripped version of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" with an interesting twist. Five people on one guitar - its practically an inspirational poster for teamwork.

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