The Rhythm Report

Upfront with Peter Barbee, Among Savages

2017-09-12T19:10:00.000-04:00

Credit: Among Savages (Sasha Israel Photography)

Among Savages' Peter Barbee picked up guitar at 10 years old. His first instrument was a gift from his granddad. Infatuated with figuring out how to play and nurtured by a musical family, he took to it and before long he began writing songs.

"I grew up in the south, kind of the middle of nowhere, so I didn't have many distractions," said Barbee, a Tennessee native, continuing with a laugh, "I started writing songs that I'm thankful there are no recordings of."

His early influences came from turn-of-the-century acoustic and pop radio hits from the likes of Dave Matthews Band. At 18 years old, he moved to Nashville where exposure to a vibrant catalog of independent artists altered his musical sensibilities. Working in the Music City bars, he learned from artists who were breaking out of the scene with professional projects of their own.

"I started getting to be around other styles of music and other musicians that were doing it full time so I had a lot of mentors that kind of helped me define my sound and taste," Barbee explained. "I just kind of luckily would run into these people or get to know them from work, even now they are some of my best friends in music."

One such bond grew with Canon Blue's Dan Brigham who hired Barbee into his band. When Barbee began sowing his own seeds as a solo songwriter he turned to Brigham to co-produce Among Savages' debut album, Wanderings of an Illustrative Mind (2012), and sophomore release, Accounts of Friend and Foe (2017).

Fast forward to 2017

Credit: Among Savages (Sasha Israel Photography)

Barbee has come a long way from his Tennessee roots. He is now 30 years old and resides in Los Angeles. His body of work is a collection of autobiographical compositions. He describes the latest Among Savages record as "chapters to [his] 20s."

The record is an introspective examination of tumultuous young adult relationships, the mortal loss of a friend and his own self-awareness through those formative years.

Each song is Barbee's human experience packaged into a succinct symphony. A deluge of emotions from scorn to lust, heartbreak to clarity is tangible, illustrated by vocal euphonies entwined with calculated percussion and orchestration.

Of the struggle and self-exploration inherent to his lyrics and arrangements, Barbee said, "Relationships are difficult, trying to be an adult is difficult, especially when you're in a career that just tends to hurt you more than help you."

"Fear" and "Art of Living" are two songs he wrote at a time when he felt hopeless and needed to be reminded of how much hope he actually had in the life and career he is pursuing. He described the process as "using your ability to create to almost write your own lullaby so you don't go crazy."

"Those two songs stand out to me as a universal way that I want to live," Barbee expressed.

[Listen to and read lyrics for "Fear" at the end of this article.]

Constructing Accounts

Barbee writes and arranges all parts of his music electronically first. Then, he works with a revolving cast of musicians for live performances and studio recording. He prefers real instruments because they deliver a quality that feels more genuine.

His process for picking songs to record is collaborative with the help of Brigham. Each man will pick 20 or so songs they like best out of Barbee's repertoire and anything that matches on their lists makes it to the next level.

"I'm always writing. I'm not necessarily writing for a specific album but if some of the songs seem to be kind of like latching on to one another, whether it's arrangement wise or content then it tends to make the cut."

Some songs on Accounts of Friend and Foe were written years ago and pulled from Barbee's archives. Others were written only days before he entered the studio to record the album. He reported that the fiery single "If You See Her" wasn't planned for the track list. A couple days prior to his studio session Barbee crafted the scathing indignation—and it landed him a music video collaboration with director Casey Brooks, choreographer Dana Foglia and Beyonce's dance troupe.

Musician's Reality

Putting together a second full-length record has taken nearly a year of Barbee's life and finances. When asked to consider what his 18-year-old self would think about where he is today, he said he thought he would be more successful. Factor in the low return on publishing through streaming services and out-of-pocket costs for PR and marketing, it's hard to get paid for what you make, he said, emphasizing, "I have to work really hard on things that aren't music to give my music a chance."

But he believes that it's often a game of being patient rather than aggressive so he tries to build a life in which he has more time to create and improve.

"If I'm not inspired it usually means that I'm not traveling or putting myself in a position to learn or have any risk. So it's important to me to have an interesting life if I want interesting music," he mused.

Related article: New Music: Among Savages, Vinny Vegas Deliver Sophomore Albums

Lyrics - Fear (Among Savages)
There is no accident
That I am with you
Maybe your stepping stone is the way you deny

Do not be afraid
My hope is with you
You are stronger than any plan gone array
Look toward the valleys
Look toward the streams

Which direction holds the answer that you seek
Are you weary looking for relief
Rest assured you are much closer than you think

Use your fear as an indicator
of what you need and what you shouldn't learn
Does the crossroads really know
What you hide from the most
Is it danger that hides behind the mirrors and the smoke?

Your days are numbered
Don't be distracted
Strength and weakness both exist
Do not panic

Find your way through
The darkness
Maybe your stepping stone is the way you deny

Use your fear
As an indicator
of what you need
and what you should learn
Does the crossroads really know what you hide from the most?
Is it danger that hides behind the mirrors and the smoke?

Don't let it mess with your head
Keep living in the possible
It feels like a struggle ahead
Keep living in the possible

Monday Muse: "Dime" Rachel Crow - New Single is Bold, Confident Female Anthem

2017-08-07T03:22:00.000-04:00

Bubble pop singer Rachel Crow released the new music video for her coming-of-age single "Dime" on August 3, 2017, and with it she's telling the world—"I know my worth...and I won't settle for less."

The embullient 19-year-old from Mead, Colorado was originally discovered by The X Factor producers as a 13-year-old with belting vocals. Her top 5 placing on the show made her a household name in 2012 and piqued interest from television and music executives at Disney and Nickelodeon. She later signed a TV deal with the latter and released her first self-titled EP, produced and written by legendary Toby Gad, with Syco Music and Columbia Records.

Crow's latest single since her breakout in teen pop is the result of collaboration with up-and-coming producers Jack and Ryan Met (AJR). "Dime" is a modern female anthem channeling the spirit of Aretha Franklin's "I Will Survive." In the music video, a vivaciously fierce Crow vocalizes self-worth and confidence in this hip-pop dance tune as she makes it clear to an unqualified suitor that "I'm not just a penny you can pick up off the sidewalk."

For the ladies who unabashedly belt out your favorite songs in the shower or in the car with friends, 1) Add this to your playlist on iTunes or Spotify
2) Check out this cheeky lyric video released on Crow's YouTube channel so you can land every lyric like you are in the recording studio.

Flashback Friday: Billboard Hot 100 launched August 4, 1958

2017-08-04T02:44:00.001-04:00

On August 4, 1958, an 18-year-old woman became the first songwriter with a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The hit was "Poor Little Fool" (Imperial Records) performed by rockabilly crooner, Ricky Nelson, whose performance beat out The King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley for the number one spot. (Presley's "Hard Headed Woman" ranked No. 4 on that week's chart.) The young woman who penned the lyrics and melody of "Poor Little Fool" was Sharon Sheeley, known for her work with Eddie Cochran, The Fleetwoods and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

That historic day marked the introduction of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The powerhouse ranking of top pop songs in North America was the source of American Top 40 with Casey Kasem and continues to be now with Ryan Seacrest.

Music has evolved from those early days of rock 'n' roll. Fifty-nine years later, the No. 1 song on The Hot 100 as of August 4, 2017, is "Despacito" (Universal Music Group) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber.

Additional No. 1 hits on this day throughout the decades include:

"Hello, I Love You" - The Doors (1968)
"Miss You" - The Rolling Stones (1978)
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - U2 (1987)
"The Boy is Mine" - Brandy ... Monica not attributed on Billboard.com (1998)
"I Kissed a Girl" - Katy Perry (2008)

Monday Muse: "Drive Slow" Doc Robinson

2017-07-24T01:20:00.002-04:00

Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Doc Robinson shares a song and a tip for you morning commute: "Drive Slow." Wipe the Monday morning grog from your eyes and kickstart another week by reminiscing about the good times with this laid back roller off of Doc Robinson's first full-length album Deep End released on Saturday, July 22.

Doc Robinson is a project launched by Jonathan Elliot, frontman of The Floorwalkers, and Nick D'Andrea of Nick D. and the Believers. The duo incorporates an ensemble of central Ohio indie artists to complement its "Backyard BBQ" sound that mixes a throwback to Motown with midwest hometown grit.

Deep End is available on iTunes and Spotify.

New Music: Among Savages, Vinny Vegas deliver sophomore albums

2017-07-21T23:09:00.003-04:00

Summer 2017 is ripe with new sounds vibrating coast to coast. Whether you reside east, west or somewhere in between, we've got new music to help you wind down from the work week.

On July 21, from Los Angeles, Among Savages released a sophomore album entitled Accounts of Friend and Foe. Meanwhile, Maryland-based Vinny Vegas also introduced its second full-length album, Clear the Walls.

Each anthology is rather melancholy but artfully conveys the emotion in two stylistically different ways.

Among Savages - Accounts of Friend and Foe

Among Savages is the musical vision of songwriter Peter Barbee. Accounts of Friend and Foe is a 38-minute compilation of nine songs that meld alt-pop and contemporary classical undertones through an electronic listening experience. The songs are often characterized by ambient synthesized strings and effects accompanied by layered vocal choruses and tribalistic percussion. "What Goes Around," "If You See Her," and "Getting Older Quicker" open the album on an uptempo dance-pop whim that is swiftly swallowed by slow, pressing ballads. Among Savages' promotional website describes the act as a "living, evolving musical." When you listen to Barbee's works from The Wanderings of an Illustrative Mind to this latest release, the compositions truly read that way. The challenge that Barbee successfully executes across Accounts is that each song is undeniably tied but uniquely defined in its own right.

The one to hear: No Such Thing

The one you'll be singing: If You See Her

The official release party will be held August 21, 2017 in conjunction with School Night! presented by Chris Douridas and Matt Goldman (MFG) at Bardot in Los Angeles.

Album available on iTunes and Spotify.
Vinny Vegas - Clear the Walls

Vinny Vegas is a multi-instrumental progressive rock band that The Rhythm Report first discovered during its first run at an underground music club in Canton, Ohio in 2011. Clear the Walls is a nocturne collection of 10 songs spanning 36 minutes saturated by crawling guitar medleys folded into panoptic harmonies of keys, an ever-present bass and assaulting drum patterns. The songs seemingly blend together in casual listening but as a collection deliver a soulful, steady theme that are electrified by front man Scott Siskind's yowling vocals and Aaron Emmanuel Lee's talent on keys.

The one to hear: Slow Burn Dopamine
The one you'll be singing: Greens into Blues

The band's four-stop record release tour begins in Boston, Mass. on July 28 with additional shows to follow in New York City, Philadelphia, Penn., and Baltimore, Maryland. Visit VinnyVegasMusic.com for details.

Album available on iTunes, Spotify, BandCamp and SoundCloud.

Bethesda showcases at SXSW 2013 (Interview with Shanna Delaney and Eric Ling)

2013-03-14T07:33:00.004-04:00

Bethesda is making its second trip to South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. Over the next three days, the folk-rock group has several showcases lined up including the Cleveland Rocks Showcase, which will also feature Winslow, Attack Cat and The Lighthouse and The Whaler.

Shanna Delaney (vocalist) and Eric Ling (guitarist/vocalist) invited The Rhythm Report into their home for an interview one week prior to their take off to SXSW. They talked about what they learned from their first experience at the massive music event in 2012 and what they are expecting from their 2013 "unofficial" tour at the festival.

The band's scheduled for showcases Thursday, March 14 through Saturday, March 16. Visit www.bethesdaband.com or follow the band on Twitter for updates.

Share this video on Twitter:
@TheRhythmReport
@BethesdaBand
#BethesdaSXSW

Interview conducted by Priscilla Tasker
Camera support provided by Stephanie Snyder

Monday Muse: Sean Benjamin "Love Me Like A Drug"

2013-03-04T16:36:00.000-05:00

Musical artist Sean Benjamin released this devilish music video last fall to the tune of his 2011 track "Love Me Like A Drug." His acoustic-hip-pop sound melds with a rhythmic lounge groove in this confession of love obsession. The music video was produced by Cleveland-based FNA Productions, which is heading out to Los Angeles this week to represent its 48-Hour Film Project winner, Phemimenon, at 48HP Filmapalooza 2013.

Benjamin plays a free show at Buzzbin Art & Music Store in Canton on Friday, March 8 with Northeast Ohio staple, Oldboy, and Winslow, who recently released its sophomore album, Left of the Right Direction.

Music Video: The Modern Electric "All We Have Is Now"

2013-03-03T13:05:00.001-05:00

For whom would you become a zombie? The Modern Electric's latest music video begs the question. At the stroke of midnight on March 2, the band released a cinematic short feature complementing its single "All We Have Is Now."

[SPOILER ALERT]

Catering to the national zombie addiction, the video relates the dark commitment of a man to his beloved–in spite of her soulless condition as a bloodsucking, flesh-eating corpse. Initially, he runs from the exquisite monster as she chases him through a wooded path and neighborhood landmarks. Flashbacks to their relationship prior to her conversion reveal his enchantment with the girl. To preserve her existence, damned as it may be, he succumbs when he finds her threatened by a band of hicks ready to clobber the walking dead.

The script is a bizarre take on a love song, but the imagery and the audio will stick with you. Watch the video and share your thoughts.

The Modern Electric is up for best local act in Cleveland Scene's annual "Best of Cleveland" survey. See who else is on the list and vote here.

12 artists 'Live from Bad Racket'; studio announces first compilation release

2012-11-14T03:18:00.002-05:00

Source: Bad Racket Recording Studio
http://badracketrecording.bandcamp.com/

A multitude of sounds have been projected in the craft studio space of Bad Racket. During two years of operation, the production team has recorded and engineered a mix of full-length records and EPs and coordinated numerous live shows (on- and off-site events). Hundreds of songs have reverberated off the aged walls and colorful hand-fashioned partitions that enliven the open performance space.

Arguably one of the most successful endeavors helping to launch the studio out of Northeast Ohio obscurity is the Live from Bad Racket video series it launched in collaboration with Ohio Authority in 2010. To commemorate the growth of the video series, Bad Racket assembled––and will release on Nov. 20––its first compilation album reflecting the sundry musicians with whom the studio worked in its infancy.

The musical corpus comprises the first dozen artists and bands to be featured in the Live from Bad Racket series from 2010 through 2011. It is a diverse audio showcase, which includes tracks by Signals Midwest, Nick Zuber, The Family Womack Band, and Thaddeus Anna Greene. [Full track listing available here.]

"I've been planning this for a long time. Basically, since we did the first video I wanted to release the audio," said Thomas Fox, Bad Racket co-owner and studio manager. "It's been two years since I first started thinking about this."

Signals Midwest was the first band to appear in a Live from Bad Racket music video. The group's guitarist and vocalist, Max Stern, recollects his early experiences with the studio.

"I was kind of the guinea pig," Stern said, attributing his Bad Racket introduction to his acquaintance with studio co-founder Adam Wagner. Stern was working at Go Media, a marketing and design agency located two floors above the studio on Lorain Avenue in Ohio City. Wagner invited him and his band to demo some tracks in the recording space, which was still bare-walled and lacking a proper audio control panel. Despite meager aesthetics in the performance chamber, Stern said the pre-session hangouts and listening parties made the difference. He scheduled Signals Midwest for a recording session in October 2010. That month, the Live from Bad Racket series was born with the recording and filming of "In Tensions."

"I didn't know Live from Bad Racket was going to become this big thing," Stern said, adding, "We must have played that song 15 to 20 times that day because the director, Aaron Freeder, only had one camera."

Stern admitted he was sick of the song by end of the day. However, the overall experience and resulting product led to an official recording session for Signals Midwest's full-length album, Latitudes and Longitudes––another first for Bad Racket. [Wagner and Stern recount the experience in this recent Bad Racket blog post and interview.]

"I feel like we got on the ground floor of something really awesome," Stern expressed.

Since then, the band has recorded several smaller projects, including a couple of split 7" records with ally bands French Exit and Shady Ave. Stern even recorded a solo acoustic project, Meridian, at the studio.

"I don't feel the need to go anywhere else," Stern said. Describing Bad Racket's recording process as "open, communicative," he explained, "I felt really taken care of as a musician, like they wanted the output to sound as good as I wanted it to."

Launch event – Part I

Signals Midwest will headline the first of four launch events to promote the Live from Bad Racket compilation album on Friday, November 16.

"Thomas has put together four really cool shows. Each kind of reflects a different genre so this is kind of the 'punk rock' show," Stern said. "I'm excited we're headlining. I feel like we've been together since the beginning. It's cool to carry it over into this."

Accompanying Signals Midwest for Friday's show are:

Ma Jolie (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Worship This! (Cleveland/Akron)
En Garde (Akron/Kent)

The event will be held at Bad Racket Recording Studio, 4507 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44102.

Official release details

On Nov. 20, the Live from Bad Racket compilation album will be available through online vendors i-Tunes and Amazon. Hard copies will be available at exclusive Northeast Ohio venues: Music Saves, Room Service and The Root Cafe. Pre-ordering for digital or hard-copy editions of the album is open now through BandCamp.

PheMIMEnon wins threefold at Cleveland's 48 Hour Film Project wrap party

2012-08-10T22:38:00.000-04:00

In 48 hours, the FNA Production crew and a band of merry volunteers joined to brainstorm, write, film, edit and complete a 7-minute silent film which recounts a man's devastation as he is diagnosed with Mimeitis, also known as Mime Disease.

The story is one of courage and self-discovery as Rick Everett learns to embrace what he has become in a cold civilization that does not take kindly to his type. Yet even in a world where mimes are disregarded as a scourge of society, he finds love in a mischievous "mimette" who shows him that the pantomime life is not all bad.

Tonight the film received recognition at the Cleveland 48 Hour Film Project wrap party for
Best Acting Ensemble, Audience Choice, and Best Picture. I had the pleasure of being a part of this fantastic team. Congratulations to all involved!

Genre: Silent Film, Romantic Comedy
Directed by Benjamin Barr
Produced by Len Ganley and Carl Drotleff

Monday Muse: The Floorwalkers "Some Love" Live from The Mug and Brush barbershop

2012-01-23T03:29:00.000-05:00

Brite Winter announces 30+ featured bands to play at free event in Ohio City

2012-01-20T18:24:00.000-05:00

Brite Winter organizers announced the lineup of musical entertainers who will be performing at the third annual arts and cultural festival on February 18. Musicians will play on an outdoor stage on Bridge Avenue in Ohio City as well as at venues throughout the neighborhood.

The outdoor stage acts include:

Bad Veins

Tom Evanchuck and The Old Money

The Lighthouse and The Whaler

Bethesda

Black Taxi

Almost 30 additional acts will be featured at locations such as Bon Bon Bake Shop, Joy Machines Bike Shop, Garage Bar, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Touch Supper Club, Market Ave. Wine Bar and Dragonfly Lounge. Visit http://www.britewintercleveland.com/ for more information about the event.

Through the TurnStyle features Smoke Screen

2012-01-17T02:30:00.000-05:00

Through the TurnStyle - Smoke Screen from TurnStyle Films on Vimeo.

Monday Muse: Kipp Stone "Live from the Tap" music video

2012-01-16T00:33:00.001-05:00

Fresh off the weekend, heading back into the office, I thought we could all use a steady beat to ease into the week. This Monday Muse features Cleveland hip hop artist Kipp Stone, whom I discovered on Saturday as I researched another local artist, psychedelic blues rocker Thaddeus Anna Greene. The two collaborated on the three-volume, 27-song mixtape series King Basi & The Brougham Music, which is an hour and 28 minutes of lyrical rhapsody and badinage laid over raw, rhythmic and melodic instrumental cuts. (I'm quite pleased with this find.) Nod your head to "Live from the Tap," track five on Volume 3: Dolce Victoria.

This music video was released last October just days before A Right To Create Music Group launched Stone's debut album, Video Game Kids. If you like what you've heard, also watch the artist's newest music video for "Pine Marten" off of King Basi & The Brougham Music Volume 1: Hollywood North.

Antoine Dunn: A dream comes true - Abram - Ohio.com

2012-01-08T18:25:00.000-05:00

Akron Beacon Journal pop music writer Malcom X Abram writes about Cleveland Heights' budding R&B star Antoine Dunn in this Jan. 8 article, Antoine Dunn: A dream comes true. Dunn reveals the bittersweet nature of his recent global and national achievements as he laments not being able to continue sharing the experience with his mother, who passed away in the fall of 2011. In the article, he describes these times as "the best days and years of my life, and the worst ones at the same time."

Read the full article on Ohio.com.

Dunn's music video for his new single, "Can't Forget," premiered on BET's 106 & Park on Dec. 26. Watch the video here.

Live from Bad Racket: Nights "Walk Away"

2012-01-01T23:27:00.000-05:00

Lugging musical instruments and gear to a roof accessible only by a ladder and a ceiling exit is no easy task. But that’s what Director Aaron Freeder and the Bad Racket Recording Studio team had to do to pull off the Nights Live from Bad Racket video shoot last fall. In fact, Nights front-woman Jenna Fournier said the production team had to tie the drums with ropes and pull them up the side of the building.

Bethesda was the first band to be filmed on the roof of the studio on Lorain Avenue for the “Live” series. However, the Nights production was fittingly the first Live feature shot atop the building after dusk. Some residents in the Ohio City neighborhood apparently were not too thrilled with the raucous rockers performing amidst bright flashing lights late into the evening.

"Someone had actually called the cops on us. We had to quit for the night and come back the next day," Fournier said, adding that night two wrapped earlier in the evening to avoid another noise complaint.

Freeder released the Nights Live from Bad Racket music video via Vimeo on January 1. The black-and-white feature stars the band performing “Walk Away.”

"Aaron who shot it, i thought, is very talented," Fournier said. "He had a vision, and we just did what we do and played."

Live From Bad Racket - Nights from Aaron Freeder on Vimeo.

On being asked to join the Live from Bad Racket featured artists, Fournier said, "We were flattered, and they have done a lot in the year they've been around. They did it kind of as a perk for us recording there. If we were to hire someone to do that, it would be thousands of dollars. It's a nice promotional tool to have."

Nights recorded its upcoming full-length album with Bad Racket, but is still working on wrapping up the final product. Fournier said the group is re-tracking a few things and outsourcing mixing. The record is expected to release in early spring. The band is hoping to be on tour by summer.

Nights' next show is at The Happy Dog on Tuesday, January 10. The band will play with psych-pop rockers DOM.

Nights is also scheduled for February 18 at the Beachland Tavern. Twin Sister will headline the show featuring Ava Luna.

The Rhythm Report looks back on year of growth, success

2011-12-31T15:41:00.001-05:00

It's been an incredible year for The Rhythm Report. I started this blog in 2010, but the hard push to get this site up and running came in early 2011. Countless shows and 87 posts later, I'm looking back on a year of growth and success. Thank you to the musicians, readers and supporters that have helped make this publication what it has become.

A special thanks goes out to Todd Volkmer and Erin Ludlam of Wasted Talent Media, for providing the Indie Box Live Concert series, and to contributing writers Ty Kellogg and Bryan Pauley. [Kellogg wrote United we stand: Tom Evanchuck, Red Wanting Blue and Kent State Folk Festival: Failed coverage (almost); Pauly wrote Concert review: Energy ebbs, flows at Interpol show]

I'm looking forward to the new opportunities 2012 will bring. Here are two lists to wrap up the year: the most-read articles of 2011 and a few editor's faves.

Most-read articles of 2011

There is no music scene here — Nov. 6
Monday Muse: "Babel" Humble Home — Nov. 14
The Floorwalkers' DIY approach spurs grassroots growth — July 18
Last-minute music fest takes Rock Hall, Science Center — Aug. 2
Tom Evanchuck strikes a chord with three new records — May 23
Review: The Only Man - Lydia Loveless — March 17
Local artist Rob Geer's last show at Grog Shop signals new life out West — Sept. 29
New album: Rob Geer releases Find Your Way Home on Bandcamp — Dec. 28
Good vibes emanate at Painesville Party in the Park — July 21
A Rhythm Report film – The Great Unsaid: Documented — Oct. 23
I would have liked to include an eleventh headline. Unfortunately, Blogger's subpar analytics would not allow me to dig that deep to find out which article would have made it. Blast it! Goal for next year: New site platform with stellar analytic capabilities!

Editor's faves
These articles did not make the cut for being most read, but they are a few that I think have added value to The Rhythm Report in the past 12 months. (Note: The following headlines are listed by date, not priority.)

The Lighthouse and The Whaler celebrates the season, ushers in 2012 with career, fan focus — Dec. 20
From the back of the Beachland: Bethesda talks licensing, plans for new album — Nov. 30
Live, local music is at heart of Bad Racket anniversary show — Oct. 25
Bad Racket Anniversary Show! Full interview with Thomas Fox and Adam Wagner — Oct. 21
"TOM" beyond the Evanchuck: An interview with The Old Money — Oct. 9
Concert Review: Saturday at The Auricle with The Singular, Vinny Vegas — Sept. 12
Top-charted Vitium talks about recording new EP — July 10
Audio interview: Winslow's Maurice Martin talks about recording with Grammy award-winning producer, summer tour and more — May 8
Interview: DJ David Beans debuts at Ballantine — April 4
Cellar Door Records release: The sign of a new era for NEOhio music — March 25

Final success of 2011: Hitting 10,000 blog views for the year! It hasn't happened quite yet as I prepare to publish this article, but I'm looking at a beautiful number: 9,999. If you're reading this, you've helped me hit or surpass my goal. Thank you.

New Album: Rob Geer Releases Find Your Way Home on Bandcamp

2011-12-28T02:21:00.000-05:00

Written by Priscilla Tasker

Rob Geer released his debut
album on December 27.

Independent artist Rob Geer announced the digital release of his full-length debut album, Find Your Way Home.

The 10-song track list is a compilation of songs Geer has written over several years; some had previously been recorded with Jeff Toy (A Little Bit of Orange EP) and Cellar Door Records ("It Might Be"). The gradual acquisition of new recording equipment empowered him to fine-tune the material into a completed project over the past three months.

Geer said the final product might have been released earlier, but a technological mishap delayed completion. A hard drive crash wiped out his post-production mixing work in November, causing him to revert back to older tracks, which had been saved. Despite the set back, Geer was able to present the final compilation this week, before the year's end.

"It feels great! I'm extremely happy to be done and to move on to some other things I've been working on," Geer said. "I took a little break from mixing everything, for things to feel fresh again, then finally finished a couple days ago."

Re-mixing revives early material
Two of the songs featured on the album had previously been released on A Little Bit of Orange EP in January 2010. The original recordings of "A Little Bit of Orange" and "Dead End" had more dark, progressive rock characteristics and lacked the higher-quality mixing of the new tracks.

Geer released A Little Bit of Orange EP as
The Conductor and The Creator in January 2010.

The latest recording of “A Little Bit of Orange” opens with the song’s catchy blues riff, but Geer stripped it down. He swapped psychedelic guitar trills with clean chord progressions and harmonious picking, and replaced weighty drums with the light percussive flavor of a shaker.

"Dead End," as previously recorded, jumps right in with full guitar, drums and vocals. Geer takes his time in the new recording, building the essence with a lone guitar, followed by vocals and discreet bass tones.

That patience and permeable space in the music speaks to the merit of the finished product. Geer has performed and released variations of most of the songs featured on Find Your Way Home at live shows and through digital demos. Now, in absolute form, these songs are evidence of Geer’s artistic growth and maturity.

“They just weren’t how I wanted them to be heard, so I decided to add some extra things in here and there,” Geer said. "The A Little Bit Of Orange EP was recorded in Jeff Toy's attic and basement with all of his equipment. The only musicians on that are me and him, but I wanted to release acoustic versions of those songs because I feel like they fit as a whole with Find Your Way Home."

Toy is credited on Geer's new album for his mixing and harmony work on “You Could Be All Mine.” The ethereal romantic ballad adds a touch of tenderness to an otherwise verbally grave collection.

Enlivened lyrics are illustrative, palpable
Geer is poetic. His lyrics are vivid, almost tangible. The inclination to write about sordid human endeavors in songs like "Human Nature" and "Assassin" is distinctive of his creative aesthetic.

"Human Nature," which features Dan Thompson's bass stylings, is a three-minute and 48-second dissertation on the faults of mankind. Geer compares men’s cold acts to the violent instincts of beasts, howling, "Packs of wolves kill their prey with one bite to the neck, and no one says a God damn thing. Their just wild animals – but what do you call us humans when we shoot people just for fun."

“Assassin” is a chilling account of a feigned lovers. Full and pure, Geer demonstrates his vocal power. The physical strain is audible as he cries out, “Call me the assassin. Call me what you will,” after taunting, “The way you tore apart your life, thinking every second chance wasn’t broken ‘til you found out everybody’s gone – and I just lied to you again.”

The lyrical content of Find Your Way Home is complemented by alluring, well-crafted melodies ("Under Devil's Skin") and capacious harmonies ("Keepin' My..."). Geer delved into the depths to produce these auditory gems – and they are sparkling.

Read more Rob Geer coverage on The Rhythm Report:

Weekend Prelude: "It Might Be" Rob Geer in Colorado wilderness

Local artist Rob Geer's last show at Grog Shop signals beginning of new life out West

New video: Live from 6ixth City Tech Fest

Artists review Cellar Door Records Volume III

Rob Geer opens with demo at The Grog Shop

"The Conductor," Oldboy roused fans at The Grog Shop

Video Premiere: Antoine Dunn's "Can't Forget" lands spot on BET's 106 and Park

2011-12-26T19:41:00.000-05:00

Source: Antoine Dunn
Official Facebook page

Soul singer and Cleveland-area native Antoine Dunn is celebrating the national release of the music video for his single "Can't Forget," which premiered on BET's 106 and Park tonight, Monday, December 26.

Dunn is an accomplished songwriter and mutli-instrumentalist who has toured with Anthony Hamilton, performed with Musiq Soulchild and Avant, and is noted on the production credits for Lakisha Jones' debut album.

"Can't Forget" is Dunn's first single launched by Elite Music Group Incorporated, which signed the artist in August 2011. The song was co-written and co-produced by Jerry Lang II (JL), pianist and producer, who is known for his work with Vitium and Nicholas Wonder a.k.a. Nicholas Smalc. Lang studied at The Cleveland Institute of Music and has released successful hip hop hits with Vitium in Japan.

The music video was uploaded to Dunn's official YouTube page on December 12. In the past two weeks, it has received 2,044 hits.

Fans of the video can text #cantforget to 79922 to secure its future appearances on 106 and Park.

Monday Muse: "Falling Away" by Rob Montague [Flat Earth Society show at House of Blues – Cleveland]

2011-12-26T18:09:00.001-05:00

Rob Montague released a self-directed music video for the song "Falling Away" off his latest album Farewell Song, which is available on Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

The entire video was shot with an iPhone 4. The dusty effect of black-and-white film was achieved using the 8mm Vintage Camera App from Nexvio.

According to The Rock blog's album review of Farewell Song, Montague will perform with a new band called Flat Earth Society next year. The group is playing a show with Downplay and Silver Lights at House of Blues in Cleveland on January 4. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Lyrics to "Falling Away" are available on Montague's ReverbNation.com page.

Video: "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" performed by Red Wanting Blue

2011-12-25T18:39:00.001-05:00

Scott Terry's gruff, snarling vocals give a perfect touch of grit and mire to Red Wanting Blues' rendition of the classic "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," written about Dr. Seuss' great Christmas antagonist.

Thurl Ravenscroft's original recording of the song for the 1966 cartoon film "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" has been second to none, but Red Wanting Blue may have inched its way into my top holiday favorites with this one.

"On Christmas Morning" by Zach

2011-12-24T15:38:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas to all from The Rhythm Report!

Enjoy the next two days with your closest family and friends. Here's a little tune from Zach to start the magic on Christmas day.

"On Christmas Morning" (2005) – Zach

Hear more Christmas songs from Northeast Ohio artists in these Rhythm Report posts:

The Modern Electric – "Northcoast Christmas"

Bethesda – "If This is Christmas"

Holiday Spectacular Shows: Music Fills The Night in Northeast Ohio

2011-12-23T14:23:00.000-05:00

Folks are home for the holidays and Northeast Ohio musicians and venues from Cleveland, Akron and Canton are celebrating. Here is the event list for the night.

Kent – The Speedbumps Christmas Fun Time Show

8 p.m. - The Kent Stage

Painesville – The Carsons Holiday Party and Reunion Show

7 p.m. - Scores Fun Center

Akron – David Ullman Album Fundraiser with Enormity and Bushman

8 p.m. - Musica

Lakewood – A Very Acoustic Christmas with Tom Evanchuck and Cool Jason

9:30 p.m. - Merry Arts Pub

Lakewood – Pilgrim and Echo Canyon Players in Concert

9 p.m. - The Winchester Music Hall

Canton – !Dance Night!

11 p.m. - The Auricle Venue

iLTHY Store Grand Opening recap video dubbed with RJD2's "Smoke and Mirrors"

2011-12-22T16:58:00.001-05:00

Jason Kandalec (JasonUnoriginal) produced this recap video of iLTHY Workshop's grand opening event at its Gordon Square Arts District location on Detroit Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Modern Electric Northcoast Christmas Show at Grog Shop tonight – Thursday, December 22

2011-12-22T14:20:00.001-05:00

Raise your voice at the The Modern Electric's Northcoast Christmas show tonight at The Grog Shop. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $6.

Hear the band's latest ditty a "Northcoast Christmas," which the group describes as a song that captures the joys, struggles and triumphs of a Christmas on the Northcoast.

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://themodernelectric.bandcamp.com/album/northcoast-christmas-2"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Northcoast Christmas by The Modern Electric&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Opening acts include:

Tom Evanchuck and The Old Money – From acoustic folk tunes to Rock 'n' Roll-infused blues ballads, Tom Evanchuck and band put on a hell of a live show that is sure to get you on your feet and moving on the dance floor.
The Ruby Spirit – This spunky indie rock band hails from Toronto, Canada. The five-member group fosters an old-time feel with an exuberance for trippy synth play, ragtime dramatics and mod-era rock orchestrations.
The Plastic Hearts – With an intermixing of Americana roots and indie nonchalance, The Plastic Hearts adds an absorbent resonance to the night's eclectic roster of musicians.

The Grog Shop is located at 2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106.