Live Spotlight ::: March Live Show Roundup

March was a great month for live music in the Atlanta area. YouOughtToHearThis was able to attend four shows over the 31 days of March and here is a recap of what we saw and heard.

He's My Brother, She's My Sister
Paper Bird Band
Shakey Graves
Thursday 3/07/13 ::: Doors 8:30 ::: Show 9
The Earl ::: Atlanta, GA

Going into the show I had only heard two Shakey Graves songs and that was right before leaving for the concert. With a song entitled Georgia Moon it was enough to lure me for his set and I'm sure glad it did. After seeing him I've heard multiple outlets rave about his SXSW sets, before his voice gave out. This one man band's given name is Alejandro RoseGarcia is the perfect mix of Texas soul, blues, country, and rock. Not only is he a first class picker, whether a guitar or banjo, but in addition to his raspy voice he is simultaneously playing the kick drum with his right heel and the 'kick tambourine' with his left heel (pictured below) and never misses a beat. It's easy to see how he suffered from losing his voice recently, because he gives everything he can will out of it. His performance that night was a great surprise. 

One of the first things I noticed when Paper Bird Band hit the stage was standup bassist Macon Terry held a stricking resemblance Scott Adist (Pete Hornberger on 30 Rock) while rocking a Cosby sweater and a mustache. If you can't tell my mind often wonders at shows. I'm 'gifted' in that my ADD allows me to focus on multiple things at once. The seven piece band sit centered around three lovely ladies, Sarah (also plays the trumpet), Esme, and Genny, with with voices that tickle the ears with their range. Rounding out the band are Mark Anderson (drums),Paul DeHaven (guitar), Genevieve Patterson (voice), and Caleb Summeril (banjo, guitar).

The Paper Birds were wonderful with their use and interaction with the sellout crowd.  It was apparent from the onset that this band is a tight knit group that genuinely is loving what they're doing.  Members were constantly smiling, dancing, touching and hugging one another through the set. In the most genuine and complimentary way possible the band performs as though they're members of a television cult, happy as can be with one mission; to entertain their guests.  

Paper Bird Setlist 

As I Am

Dear Friend

Don't You Run
There Ain't No
Bring us to our Knees
Storm

Livin' Lucky

St. Louis

Hold it Down

The closest mainstream comparison that I can make to He's My Brother, She's Sister is the Alabama Shakes, though having seen them both live HMBSMS blows the Shakes out of the water in performance and overall catalog of songs.  Between their energy, lyrics, and demeanor it's difficult to not have a foot stomping, knee slapping good time with this band. Headed by siblings Rob and Rachel Kolar the band played an even mix of hits of their 2012 release Nobody in this Town Dance and their 2010 selftitled debut. They also mixed in some of their very early work when they dusted off 'Velvet Underground'.  Another eye-catching aspect of the group is Lauren Brown, the tap dancing drummer whose concentration to do both is beyond me. Brown, in her tight sequin dress taps away on her noise capturing box platform while pounding away on the drums. 

He's My Brother, She's My Sister Setlist

Tales That I Tell

Velvet Underground

Let's Go

Let It Live Free

New Song

Song with PaperBird

Can't See the Stars

Slow it Down

The Same Old Ground

(Tap Dance Solo)

Clackin' Heels

Touch the Lightning

Coattails

Electric Love

HMBSMS w. Paper Bird

STRFKR

Blackbird Blackbird

Monday 3/11/13 ::: Doors 8:30 ::: Show 9

Terminal West ::: Atlanta, GA

On a rainy Monday night many excited music lovers braved the elements and they were rewarded with an energetic party-like performance from STRFKR. After a slight delay to fix their pulsating 8'x12' LED board, the band took off with 'Hard Smart Beta' off their debut album. They bounced around from album to album over their 24 song marathon set.

 If the LED and light show weren't enough visual stimulation the four piece Portland, Oregon band welcomed   costumed guests onto the stage including a panda bear, a skeleton, an astronaut and Gumby on stage to unleash a fury of balloons and dance moves on the crowd. Between the stage show and the mix of guitar, keys, bass, percussion, and foggy vocals it was made for quite an experience. 

STRFKR Setlist

Hard Smart Beta
Sazed
German Love
Isabella
Florida
Say To You
Reptilians
Beach Monster
Holly
Astoria
Mystery Cloud
Atlantis
While I’m Alive
Medicine
Julius
Leave It All Behind
Quality Time
Millions
Bury Us Alive

Encore:
Malmo
Rawnald Gregory Erickson The Second
Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper Cover)
Boy Toy

St. Lucia

Haerts

Tuesday 3/19/13 ::: Doors 8:30 ::: Show 9

Vinyl ::: Atlanta, GA

This was my first experience in Vinyl, one of the three venues that make up Center Stage.  After having my ticket scanned and acquiring the proper wristbands and hand stamps I entered into the scene from Fight Club when the members of the club not-to-be-discussed are waiting on the bar to close so they can make their way to their 'arena' in the basement.  There were around 20 people all scattered out looking wayward at their drinks knowing something better was on the horizon while decompressing after work. 

Haerts, a Brooklyn based band has members from across the globe including Germany, England, and the United States, was my main reason for attending despite their undercard role.  The band appears to be a continuation of the band Nini + Ben after Jake and Tommy left, being 'replaced' by Johnathan Schmidt.  After hearing their debut 'Wings' I fell in love, but still not another song released it was hard to see what direction the band was really taken.  Overall the band is amazingly talented with their instruments, getting everything out of them.  I almost couldn't tell if Nini's sheepishness on stage was an act or if she has yet to come into her own.  Routinely through the set it seemed like she struggled to find the appropriate place for her hands.  Often times defaulting into just holding the mid air on their side of the microphone.  She did not however struggle with her voice as it melted lyric after lyrics.   

I was pleasantly surprised by the ease with which the band members rattled out the songs in a heavily practiced way.  It will be something to watch as this band matures and grows on the road together.  I expect great things from them once they hit their stride and can take some liberties with improvisation. 

I didn't see much of St. Lucia's performance due to prior engagements, but what I did see was impressive.  By the time they hit the stage the crowd had nearly filled the venue and their was a undeniable excitement floating through the air.   This feeling only grew as their performance was delayed when the crew struggled with a speaker that had apparently blown, eventually switching it out.   

As they opened their set I had flashbacks to watching the Zack Attack perform on Saved By the Bell. Band members, mainly keyboardist Patricia Beranek's smile and interaction as seen below.  They build on the aforementioned atmosphere by getting the crowd involved early.  As they band played 'We Got it Wrong', Jean-Philip Grobler encouraged the crowd to echo "Don't go, don't go away". 

Zack Attack - Friends Forever by ray548

Family of the Year

Mowgli's

Monday 3/25/13 ::: Doors 7pm ::: Show 9

The New Brookland Tavern::: West Columbia, SC

Spending the week in Augusta initially meant I would be missing this lineup on March 26th at the Earl in East Atlanta. As they say when one door closes another one opens. Checking their dates tour dates I lucked into finding they were playing the day before in West Columbia a mere hour from Augusta. This also would let me see the concert and be able to put up a review so ATLiens could get a glimpse of why they should see both up and coming groups. As I'll get into later time was not on my side with this review. 

The Brookland is a small divebar on a strip of bar and shops with a small town feel. I always find that the best venues have signs stating 'no fighting' and 'no stage diving'. Brookland had probably the largest mixes of U-21s and simultaneously a very large contingent of baby boomers. 

The Mowgli’s are a Southern Californian band with a Southern Californian soul. The eight-piece started in a garage in the San Fernando Valley where many of them grew up. They’re bound together by an intricate social web that dates back to childhood and their harmonies carry a message of universal love and togetherness. It’s all about unity, having a good time, and the idea that humanity can achieve a higher level consciousness.Similar the dynamic of the aforementioned Paper Bird Band, this band loves life and how they're living it and it comes through in their lyrics and performance. 

The Mowgli's were fast paced from the beginning moving from one song to another with no downtime whatsoever.  The only misstep by the band was when Katie Jayne referred to the Columbia crowd as Charleston, where the band had recently played. Band members frequently interacted with the crowd even venturing into the crowd on multiple occasions. Little touches like this and drumming on the wall while they played 'Time' are sure to make them a fan favorite. Add in the fact their lyrics are at the top of the optimism scale it's hard to not have a positive outlook on a situation. During the band's anthem 'Carry Your Will' guitarist Michael Vincze weaved his way through the audience 'blessing' people by circling patron with his burning sage. The band closed out their set with a passionate rendition of their hit 'San Francisco' where Jake Etheridge joined them added vocals, though he seemingly wasn't too familiar with the lyrics. 

Mowgli's Setlist

1. The Great Divide

2. Emily

3. See I'm Alive (?)

4. Slowly, Slowly

5.We Are Free

6. Hi Hey There Hello

7. See I'm Alive

8.Carry Your Will

9.Time

10. San Francisco

Having seen Family of the Year in July of 2012 I was very interested in seeing how much they've grown as they've basically toured non-stop. Finally heading their own tour after opening for bands such as Milo Greene, Mumford & Sons, and Walk the Moon. As keyboardist Christina Schroeter stated as they took the stage, they are "Family of the Year, in more ways than one.  The members of the Los Angeles outfit have formed unbreakable bonds amongst themselves that come from cohabitating in a run-down house and relying on each other for inspiration and support, which has led to the kind of camaraderie that allows members to finish each other’s sentences. It also doesn’t hurt that frontman Joe Keefe and drummer Sebastian Keefe are real-life siblings.Not to be outdone by their tour mates, Family of the Year left everything they had on the stage. 

Opening with their catchy hit 'Buried' they capture the crowd early. During  'Diversity' Joe broke a string, ironic because in the band's opening number 'Buried' he hopes to find a girl who "maybe buy me some new strings". The missing strings didn't stop the else Keefe from blasting out the remaining notes before changing guitars before the next song. Thank God for back up plans, right? Although you couldn't tell from his performance, reading his facial expressions you could tell something was up with him which Christina later commended him from powering through in spite of having a bad cold. When you thought the band was done after playing nearly all of their 2012 Loma Vista record, they powered through two songs off Songbook 'Stupidland' and wrapping the night with 'Psyche or Like Scope'. 

Family of the Year Setlist

1. Buried

2. The Stairs

3. Chugjug

4. Diversity

5. Find It

6. Never Enough

7. Everytime

8. In the End

9.Hero

10. St. Croix

11. Living on Love

12. Stupidland

13. Psyche or Like Scope

Still looking to see what door a dead car will open...