Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
why? because it is good :)
www.reformer.com/ovation/ci_11737672?source=email
strolling serenade through the mesmerized audience, completely understood why that family made the long trek to Northampton.
Thursday, February 19
NORTHAMPTON, Mass.One of the most satisfying concerts in recent memory was the Winterpills' CD release show at The Iron Horse back in October. The headliners were exquisite on their home turf, performing with verve every cut from their winning third release "Central Chambers," along with a smattering of old favorites served up with passion and just the right amount of playfulness.
But it was KaiserCartel's revelatory opening slot that made the show one of 2008's most rewarding. The Brooklyn-based couple, consisting of Courtney Kaiser and Ben Cartel, won over the crowd with their sublime harmonies, catchy songs, infectious onstage chemistry and musical versatility (he played drums and xylophone simultaneously, she used a hand-held milk frother on her xylophone). A perfect appetizer to the fulfilling Winterpills main course.
KaiserCartel's set was indeed a tasty surprise, though I had a notion that the full house was in store for a distinctive warmup while waiting on the line where I caught some buzz going around about the pair. Right next to me I overheard an exuberant young girl -- who looked to be about 11 -- gush that she couldn't wait to see her "music teacher play." After eavesdropping on her conversation, it became clear that she and her family had driven all the way up from New York City to see "Miss Kaiser" and her pal harmonize.
By the time their 40-minute set capped triumphantly with a
And I wasn't alone. KaiserCartel were impressive enough to the folks that run the Iron Horse that they quickly booked them again -- this time to headline the venue on Saturday for a 10 p.m. show -- much to the delight of the duo.
"We are so excited to be playing there again," said Kaiser in an e-mail. Cartel added "It is right up there in our favorite venues list."
Last year was a fruitful one for the pair of singer-songwriters who released both a full CD ("March Forth") in June and an EP ("Okay & Other Things We Feel"). They also found a number of friendly venues and new fans as they zig-zagged their way across the country.
"We played a lot of shows ... but we like it that way," said Kaiser. "When we play live, we try to reach every person intimately through our music. We want something to change for them after the show has finished. We love touring and playing for as many people as possible."
Before they were KaiserCartel, Courtney and Ben were separately pursuing solo careers when they happened to meet at a gig in the Big Apple. "We met at the Knitting Factory show that our two separate bands were playing," recalled Cartel. "We struck up a friendship and started playing shows together. Our audiences liked the music so much, we continued. ... As we play and record, we always become more familiar and comfortable with what we are doing. Our chemistry was very natural from the start, and it is strongest when we are in performance mode."
KaiserCartel's goal in performing is as simple as it is lofty. "When we play live, we try to reach every person intimately through our music," said Kaiser. "We want something to change for them after the show has finished. This is why we end the set with the serenade. It is a wonderful thing to look in each person's eyes and sing to them so close. It breaks the audience and performer barrier, and helps us have a personal connection with our audience."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
"you'r my yellow summer"
and who is mad at a yellow summer or dawson's creek for that matter. London Rain and all. Then again, maybe you are. :)
head to www.heathernova.com to listen
peace.
head to www.heathernova.com to listen
peace.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
totally unrelated...
but can these be streaming? then everybody can listen in
Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. cordially invites you to attend the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute Colloquium Today!  Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Andrew W. Kahrl Assistant Professor of History, Marquette University The Racial Geography of Early 20th Century Urban Recreation and the Origins of the Long, Hot Summ |
Saturday, February 14, 2009
less snark that is a novel idea...then again it is almost valentine's day
that must be the reason for the break from the usual programing. :)
Leftsetz Letter
"Listening To NRBQ"
Jim BoggiaThen there are the people who work in miniature. Detailing a tiny moment of life, pre the oversharing of Facebook. But this passing moment, which appears to only be important to the singer, ends up being universal.
If you love Big Star's "Thirteen". If you're the kind of geek who doesn't care if everybody loves the music you do. If you don't mind if they do, but care more if you find one member of the opposite sex who does...you're the kind of listener who will appreciate "Listening to NRBQ".
Can't say that I'm the biggest fan of Al Anderson and the boys. At first the mention of the band's name in the song seemed a cheap shot. But the more the lyrics went by, the more I liked the song.
"We started dating during Watergate.
We would stay up late
_trashing Nixon.
_Showed you my collection of vinyl sides
_- LPs and 45s - _
my addiction."
That's what you want to do, share your addictions and be accepted for them. The cheerleaders would laugh and sneer. The football players would break a few records to show you who's boss. But could there be a special person out there who can see the value of your interests?
"I had a Charger with a big V8.
That mother started great.
Yeah, it hauled ass. _
It had an after-market stereo _
with FM radio
and an 8Track."
I know, another guy singing about driving around in his car. But wait, did you ever hear someone sing about his AFTER-MARKET stereo? Have you ever even heard that term in a song? In the early seventies it was hard to find a car with a factory-installed FM radio, never mind an 8-track. That's what you did, you went out and got a Craig, and got it installed, usually UNDER THE DASH!
"Got us tickets on your birthday _
for a show in Detroit _
and we drove four hours one-way. _
When we got there we sat down in front
and started to kiss.
And then Terry took a solo and it went like this:"
Come on, if you're reading this you've had this experience. Maybe the girl didn't even realize it was a date, even though it was in your mind. You wanted to share the experience with her. It was a highlight of your life, that passes through your brain on a regular basis, years later.
Speaking of years later:
"And now I'm older with a wife and kid.
Won't believe what I did
with my vinyl. _
Put it on eBay and sold all of it
and though I regret it _
'All Sales Final'."
Maybe you just moved your records to the basement, or the garage. The woman you married won't tolerate the clutter. You met her when you were more mature, when you were attractive because of your gig, when your warts were hidden. So, you still think of...
"Listening To NRBQ" is like a less-snarky Fountains Of Wayne track. You feel drawn in, without having to marvel at the education.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
time between meeting and finally leaving is sometimes called falling in love
On To the Next Show!
Andrew Leahey
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
"As Valentine's Day approaches, the musicians of KaiserCartel look forward to their homecoming show in Brooklyn - at Pete's Candy Store, the first place they ever played in New York.
"Our first show at the venue was great," says Benjamin Cartel, who is half of the endearing duo. "We had only been together for a few months and were still learning each other's songs. We kept going back there month after month. Eventually, it became so packed that they had to open up the doors so people could watch us from the other room."
Pete's Candy Store enabled KaiserCartel's music to flourish, but it also provided a setting in which Mr. Cartel and vocalist Courtney Kaiser quickly fell in love. Although both had initially pursued solo careers, they later crossed paths at a Manhattan venue and began performing together, forging a romantic bond in the process.
With Miss Kaiser's gorgeous, woozy voice and Mr. Cartel's inventive musicianship (a multitasker, he often plays drums and xylophone at the same time) the band found a loyal audience in New York. A full-length album, "March Forth," followed in June 2008, and subsequent tours across the country helped expand their New York fan club into a national following.
There's plenty of love to be found on "March Forth," whose title alludes both to the inaugural date of the musicians' relationship and their "onward and upward" mentality. Unlike many couple bands, however, KaiserCartel takes a universal approach to the emotion, emphasizing its effect on the public as well as the songwriters.
"Okay" pledges trust and acceptance of a partner's faults, while "Season Song" sings the praises of summertime with hand claps and whistled accompaniment.
In keeping with the album's communal appeal, KaiserCartel concludes most performances with an acoustic serenade. The members unplug their instruments and walk into the audience, armed with a guitar and their bare voices. Then they sing directly to members of the audience, many of whom are genuinely touched by the unexpected move.
"Starting with our second or third show, we used to do this thing where we'd process into the venue and out of the venue," Miss Kaiser explains. "We'd make eye contact with people, but it would just be us walking down the middle of the crowd. Eventually, we started weaving in and out of the audience and really trying to interact with people. It came out of this idea to share ourselves to the fullest extent possible with the audience."
Mr. Cartel admits that some attendees become uncomfortable with the prospect of standing face to face with a singing musician. "We'll pass by people if they obviously don't want that kind of attention," he explains, "but the majority of people have been very into it. It makes them lifelong fans."
• KaiserCartel will bring the love to the Black Cat on Tuesday. Local musician Andy Zipf headlines the show, which begins at 9 p.m. to the tune of $10."
"Our first show at the venue was great," says Benjamin Cartel, who is half of the endearing duo. "We had only been together for a few months and were still learning each other's songs. We kept going back there month after month. Eventually, it became so packed that they had to open up the doors so people could watch us from the other room."
Pete's Candy Store enabled KaiserCartel's music to flourish, but it also provided a setting in which Mr. Cartel and vocalist Courtney Kaiser quickly fell in love. Although both had initially pursued solo careers, they later crossed paths at a Manhattan venue and began performing together, forging a romantic bond in the process.
With Miss Kaiser's gorgeous, woozy voice and Mr. Cartel's inventive musicianship (a multitasker, he often plays drums and xylophone at the same time) the band found a loyal audience in New York. A full-length album, "March Forth," followed in June 2008, and subsequent tours across the country helped expand their New York fan club into a national following.
There's plenty of love to be found on "March Forth," whose title alludes both to the inaugural date of the musicians' relationship and their "onward and upward" mentality. Unlike many couple bands, however, KaiserCartel takes a universal approach to the emotion, emphasizing its effect on the public as well as the songwriters.
"Okay" pledges trust and acceptance of a partner's faults, while "Season Song" sings the praises of summertime with hand claps and whistled accompaniment.
In keeping with the album's communal appeal, KaiserCartel concludes most performances with an acoustic serenade. The members unplug their instruments and walk into the audience, armed with a guitar and their bare voices. Then they sing directly to members of the audience, many of whom are genuinely touched by the unexpected move.
"Starting with our second or third show, we used to do this thing where we'd process into the venue and out of the venue," Miss Kaiser explains. "We'd make eye contact with people, but it would just be us walking down the middle of the crowd. Eventually, we started weaving in and out of the audience and really trying to interact with people. It came out of this idea to share ourselves to the fullest extent possible with the audience."
Mr. Cartel admits that some attendees become uncomfortable with the prospect of standing face to face with a singing musician. "We'll pass by people if they obviously don't want that kind of attention," he explains, "but the majority of people have been very into it. It makes them lifelong fans."
• KaiserCartel will bring the love to the Black Cat on Tuesday. Local musician Andy Zipf headlines the show, which begins at 9 p.m. to the tune of $10."
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