Check out Yellow Ostrich's latest single. It doesn't pack the punch of "WHALE" or "Marathon Runner," but it's still worth a listen or five. And really, at this point, I'll listen to anything Alex Shaaf makes. I'm obsessed.
Showing posts with label Yellow Ostrich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yellow Ostrich. Show all posts
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Lollapalooza 2012: Friday Wrap-Up
I woke Friday morning ("morning" here referring to around 11 AM) to a bright, hot day. For some reason, I showered, but my shower was rendered completely useless the moment I stepped outside and started sweating. I knew I was in for a hot one at Lollapalooza.
Lolla. The word rolls off of the tongue like candy. It's a music-lover's dreamland, and until Friday, I'd never been. Now, here I was, poised on the brink of it, with a media pass, no less. It was the stuff of legend.
Though I never took into account the fact that I'd be sweating the whole time. When I arrived at the Sony stage to see Yellow Ostrich, I was already a hot mess, especially since I'd forgotten a hair tie. Long hair + hot sun = lots of sweat. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Yellow Ostrich, despite frontman Alex Shaaf's nervousness or hesitance. Their set at the Empty Bottle earlier this year was much better. Maybe it was a combination of the heat and it being daylight and the pressure of it being Lollapalooza that caused Shaaf to fumble some lyrics and hold back a bit. I also think the guitar was too quiet. Nevertheless, I sang along and danced because I love them and have had Strange Land on repeat in my car for months. They'll do better next time; I have faith. Also, in the middle of the set, the band stopped so a man could come out and propose to his girlfriend. She said yes, and the whole crowd cheered. What a magical start to the weekend!
Thank goodness for the shade of the media tent. After Yellow Ostrich, I retreated there to drink boxes of water and listen to Dr. Dog from the comfort of a plastic chair. As I listened, I mentally prepared myself for Stic of the Week's interview with Adam Wakeman, the touring keyboardist for Black Sabbath. Yes, you heard me (and you can listen to the interview below). It was quite the adventure to meet up with Adam and be escorted back to the "Black Sabbath Compound." That is what the sign called it.
Once in the "Compound," we sat in some lovely air-conditioning and had a chat with Adam, who is a really sweet guy.
Later, I wandered on over to see The Afghan Whigs, who I didn't particularly enjoy. After downing a cheeseburger, I sat in the shade and listened to The Head and the Heart from afar, which was lovely, and relaxing. I think I stopped sweating for a few minutes. Then I got back up to check out The Shins for a few songs.
But I really wanted to be in front for M83, so I parked myself at the Sony stage an hour before their set and waited. And sweated. And waited. But it was worth it; the moment the band emerged from the fog and light onstage, the crowd turned into a sweaty dance party. I LOVE sweaty dance parties. And M83 just knows how to put on a show. Jordan Lawlor peacocked all over the stage in a black-and-white shirt, at one point standing on the bass drums and getting the audience to clap with him. M83 has such a tremendous presence, mostly due to the fact that each member has their own huge presence already. The combination is electrifying. People kept trying to crowd surf, though, and it was crappy. Keep your drunk bodies off of my head, please.
I stuck around for a little of the Black Keys but was pretty wiped out by that point. Guess I'm too old for all of this festival business. I went home to sleep and do it all again Saturday.
Lolla. The word rolls off of the tongue like candy. It's a music-lover's dreamland, and until Friday, I'd never been. Now, here I was, poised on the brink of it, with a media pass, no less. It was the stuff of legend.
Though I never took into account the fact that I'd be sweating the whole time. When I arrived at the Sony stage to see Yellow Ostrich, I was already a hot mess, especially since I'd forgotten a hair tie. Long hair + hot sun = lots of sweat. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Yellow Ostrich, despite frontman Alex Shaaf's nervousness or hesitance. Their set at the Empty Bottle earlier this year was much better. Maybe it was a combination of the heat and it being daylight and the pressure of it being Lollapalooza that caused Shaaf to fumble some lyrics and hold back a bit. I also think the guitar was too quiet. Nevertheless, I sang along and danced because I love them and have had Strange Land on repeat in my car for months. They'll do better next time; I have faith. Also, in the middle of the set, the band stopped so a man could come out and propose to his girlfriend. She said yes, and the whole crowd cheered. What a magical start to the weekend!
Thank goodness for the shade of the media tent. After Yellow Ostrich, I retreated there to drink boxes of water and listen to Dr. Dog from the comfort of a plastic chair. As I listened, I mentally prepared myself for Stic of the Week's interview with Adam Wakeman, the touring keyboardist for Black Sabbath. Yes, you heard me (and you can listen to the interview below). It was quite the adventure to meet up with Adam and be escorted back to the "Black Sabbath Compound." That is what the sign called it.
Once in the "Compound," we sat in some lovely air-conditioning and had a chat with Adam, who is a really sweet guy.
Later, I wandered on over to see The Afghan Whigs, who I didn't particularly enjoy. After downing a cheeseburger, I sat in the shade and listened to The Head and the Heart from afar, which was lovely, and relaxing. I think I stopped sweating for a few minutes. Then I got back up to check out The Shins for a few songs.
But I really wanted to be in front for M83, so I parked myself at the Sony stage an hour before their set and waited. And sweated. And waited. But it was worth it; the moment the band emerged from the fog and light onstage, the crowd turned into a sweaty dance party. I LOVE sweaty dance parties. And M83 just knows how to put on a show. Jordan Lawlor peacocked all over the stage in a black-and-white shirt, at one point standing on the bass drums and getting the audience to clap with him. M83 has such a tremendous presence, mostly due to the fact that each member has their own huge presence already. The combination is electrifying. People kept trying to crowd surf, though, and it was crappy. Keep your drunk bodies off of my head, please.
I stuck around for a little of the Black Keys but was pretty wiped out by that point. Guess I'm too old for all of this festival business. I went home to sleep and do it all again Saturday.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Music Video: Yellow Ostrich - "Marathon Runner"
Well, my laptop decided to die a little over a week ago: thus, my lack of posts. Still in the process of getting a new one.
Here, I'll make up for it: watch this awesome video by the awesome band that I saw awesome live and it was awesome.
They'll be at Lollapalooza this year.
Here, I'll make up for it: watch this awesome video by the awesome band that I saw awesome live and it was awesome.
They'll be at Lollapalooza this year.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Tin Tin Can, 1,2,3, and Yellow Ostrich at the EB
It's been a long time since I've been at such a solid and consistently awesome concert as the one I attended last night at the Empty Bottle. I didn't hear a single song that I didn't like.
I attended the show with my lovely photographer friend, who was similarly impressed by the lineup.
I got to chat with 1,2,3 before the concert, so down into the Empty Bottle's basement I ventured again. They all seemed tired. We chatted about their journey together as a band (lots of miles, struggles to pay bills) and about upcoming events (SXSW, playing 6 shows) and about their influences (Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, The Clash, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin).
The band is beginning to record a concept album this summer, titled Big Weather.
"It's a bit more American in the guitar sense of things," they said.
Keep your eyes on 1,2,3. They're a self-professed "fun band to follow." They give away a lot of free music, and they're planning on shooting videos for each new song they put out.
Like I said, the band seemed tired when we talked, so I wasn't sure what to expect from them onstage. I hadn't listened to much of their music before the show, so I was surprised by the voice that came out of lead singer Nic Snyder's mouth. It danced around the room, at times shuddering into a growl, at times light, playful, and sassy. By the end of their set, the entire band was covered in sweat and the audience was basking in the radiance of awesome music. Their song "Riding Coach" especially captivated me, with its rollicking drumbeat. It's a perfect traveling song - and listen to the melody on the chorus! I just want to eat it up!
Yellow Ostrich took the stage last, underneath a plethora of lights. By this time the space was filled with people and a palpable concert energy that had been building all night.
When they began, I got shivers. Yellow Ostrich sure is proficient with loop and sampling. Lead singer and main man behind the band, Alex Schaaf, had vocals harmony layered upon vocal harmony. Though there were only three people onstage, they created tremendous billows and climaxes of music, sampling themselves, looping percussion, effortlessly shifting between intimate and expansive.
They played a lot off of their new album, Strange Land, which they recently released. Check out "Elephant King" below.
The best kind of concerts, to me, are ones where I lose myself in the music. It's a kind of magic where I don't exist - I'm just part of it all. That's how this whole evening was for me. I wasn't even there. It was just Music.
The cherry on top of this ice cream sundae evening? Yellow Ostrich covered Heaven by Talking Heads.
What more can I say?
I attended the show with my lovely photographer friend, who was similarly impressed by the lineup.
Openers Tin Tin Can set the bar for the night with a high-energy performance (despite some technical difficulties - oh, power strips). Their music taps into something primal, much in the same way that Adam Arcuragi's music does. Their new album Strange Vibrations drops in a few days, so make sure to keep that on your radar.
I got to chat with 1,2,3 before the concert, so down into the Empty Bottle's basement I ventured again. They all seemed tired. We chatted about their journey together as a band (lots of miles, struggles to pay bills) and about upcoming events (SXSW, playing 6 shows) and about their influences (Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, The Clash, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin).
The band is beginning to record a concept album this summer, titled Big Weather.
"It's a bit more American in the guitar sense of things," they said.
Keep your eyes on 1,2,3. They're a self-professed "fun band to follow." They give away a lot of free music, and they're planning on shooting videos for each new song they put out.
Like I said, the band seemed tired when we talked, so I wasn't sure what to expect from them onstage. I hadn't listened to much of their music before the show, so I was surprised by the voice that came out of lead singer Nic Snyder's mouth. It danced around the room, at times shuddering into a growl, at times light, playful, and sassy. By the end of their set, the entire band was covered in sweat and the audience was basking in the radiance of awesome music. Their song "Riding Coach" especially captivated me, with its rollicking drumbeat. It's a perfect traveling song - and listen to the melody on the chorus! I just want to eat it up!
Yellow Ostrich took the stage last, underneath a plethora of lights. By this time the space was filled with people and a palpable concert energy that had been building all night.
When they began, I got shivers. Yellow Ostrich sure is proficient with loop and sampling. Lead singer and main man behind the band, Alex Schaaf, had vocals harmony layered upon vocal harmony. Though there were only three people onstage, they created tremendous billows and climaxes of music, sampling themselves, looping percussion, effortlessly shifting between intimate and expansive.
They played a lot off of their new album, Strange Land, which they recently released. Check out "Elephant King" below.
The best kind of concerts, to me, are ones where I lose myself in the music. It's a kind of magic where I don't exist - I'm just part of it all. That's how this whole evening was for me. I wasn't even there. It was just Music.
The cherry on top of this ice cream sundae evening? Yellow Ostrich covered Heaven by Talking Heads.
What more can I say?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Free download - Yellow Ostrich
Noisetrade has some free music from Yellow Ostrich, just in time for their show at the Empty Bottle on Thursday! Opening for Yellow Ostrich is Tin Tin Can and 1, 2, 3.
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