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LIMITLESS SKY

Arts center throws support to up and coming local band

June 7, 2011

By DAVID THOMPSON (dthompson@sungazette.com) , Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Community Arts Center Executive Director Rob Steele is convinced the sky is the limit for local rockers Clouds Make Sounds.

He is so convinced, in fact, he is giving the youthful band a boost toward that goal by producing its performance tonight at the arts center.

"I'm putting the assets of the Community Arts Center behind the band 100 percent," Steele said. "What I'm doing is producing their show and helping them as a band to take their artistic vision to the stage."

"We're going to do it right - using theatrical drops, special effects, such as haze and smoke and fans, and intelligent lighting," he said.

Steele said he believes the band, which is composed of musicians ages 17 to 21, has the talent, drive and professionalism to soar.

"Their commitment to what they are doing is intense," he said. "They did a show at the Capitol Lounge (at the arts center) and between sets, instead of talking to people, they sat around a table and talked about how they could make things better."

Steele described Cloud Make Sound's style as "progressive rock - but they really personalize it."

"I wouldn't attach it to any particular style," he said. "It's much more than a catchy melody. Their lyrics are terrific."

"It's indie folk-rock, if you are going to categorize it," said the band's singer-guitarist Josh Hines. "It's very melody-driven. There are rock moments and parts that are very soft and subtle. It covers a wide range of dynamics."

Although tonight's show will be the first for the group at the Community Arts Center, the venue is a familiar one for its respective members. Hines and the rest of the band - singer Shannon Cantor, guitarist Deron Johnson, bassist Joe Marchese and drummer Jeff Mach - are Uptown Music Collective alumni who have participated in numerous collective productions at the center.

"I've played on that stage with the collective, but to do our own music is astounding," said Marchese.

Johnson agreed.

"I'm really excited. We're really

grateful to have been given this chance," Johnson said. "It's not often a local band has the opportunity to play on a big stage like this. We've all played here before, but this is special because it's our music."

Mach said he is "extremely psyched" about the performance. The band originally planned the gig earlier in the spring, but Hines broke his wrist and the show had to be rescheduled, he said.

That, in turn, proved to be a blessing, because it allowed the band to better prepare for tonight's performance, he said.

"You never know till it happens, but I think it's going to be a really good show," Mach said.

In Hines' eyes, the collective's role in the group's existence cannot be understated.

"We have connections because of the Uptown Music Collective. We have the knowledge because of Uptown Music Collective," he said. "Everything we have musically has come from (collective Executive Director) Dave Brumbaugh and the collective."

The band formed a little more than a year ago following the dissolution of a band called Doc Mach and the Field Surgeons, Hines said. The original "clouds" were Hines, Johnson, Marchese and Mach.

Cantor joined the group during the recording of its debut, self-titled CD, which was recorded in July and August last year at Bob Yoas' Creekside Studio in Loyalsockville. The CD was released in late March, Hines said.

Cantor, who will be senior this fall at Loyalsock High School, was initially brought in to sweeten several songs on the album, Hines said.

"We realized she would be great as a permanent member of the band," Hines said. "She is a very intelligent musician at her age. She has brought a softer, more gentler personality to the band (which) allows for greater contrast in the music. She also has great ideas when we are writing."

Typically, Hines and Johnson work on songs, then bring them to the rest of the band for development, Hines said.

Steele said he is pulling out the stops for tonight's show. In working with the band, he challenged them to think about their CD and what colors and seasons the songs in it conjure up.

"I challenged them to think about their album as a story," Steele said. "We want to bring the audience into their story. We want (the show) to be worthy of the band's talent, their dedication and work ethic."

"For any band to have the Community Arts Center behind them is a blessing," Hines said. "It's huge, it's awesome. We really can't thank Rob enough for what he's done to help us out."

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What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

April 21, 2011
By GARRETT GAETANO - Special to the Sun-Gazette , Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Music is my life. When I was asked to write this article about what I am listening to, I wasn't sure where to start, so I thought I would start at the beginning.

As long as I can remember, my mom has always had music playing. Whether it was at home, in the car or in the yard, there always was music playing. When I was in middle school, I was into hard rock big time.

I had long hair, wore band T-shirts and loved my skateboard. The first song I fell in love with was "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC. Remember that one? It was at this time that I took my first guitar lesson.

My repertoire included "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath, "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, and of course, "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin. As I fell in love with my guitar, I started turning toward the guitar gods as my favorite music. Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour and Carlos Santana were among my heroes.

In seventh grade, my older hippie-ish cousin who was a student at the University of Vermont introduced me to a jam band called Phish. I never heard of them but appeased her by listening to a few songs - it wasn't my cup of tea.

For the next three years, I continued to widen my musical horizons. My taste ranged from The Doors to Dave Matthews Band. My mom took me to my first concert, which was Blue Oyster Cult. I love seeing music performed live and wanted to experience more "live acts." While scoping out more music, I stumbled onto Phish.com, and that was all she wrote.

Phish became an obsession for me. I simply could not get enough of them. With four books read and four days worth of their music on my iPod, they never fail to impress me.

For those of you who aren't familiar, Phish is a four-piece jam band led by Trey Anastasio on lead guitar. Mike Gordon is the bass player and he is the reason why I picked up the bass. His approach to playing is more of a lead instrument than the typical bass player. Page McConnell is one of the most gifted piano players that I have ever heard. Without him, their sound would not be complete. Last but not least, John Fishman is the drummer. Wearing a polka dot moo-moo dress at every concert, he is the final ingredient.

Phish focuses on improvisation and making every concert a unique experience. The group's collection of songs range from deep funk to hard rock to hip hop, jazz, bluegrass and 30-minute jams. I have been to three of the band's concerts and view each of them as some of the greatest nights of my life.

Phish has played more than 1,100 shows from 1985 to the present. The band is all about the live performance versus the studio recordings. That is why I love Phish: The music is for the fans. Every night is a different setlist with no song being performed the same way twice. The members of the band are planning a new summer tour and I am trying to catch a few shows.

To wrap it up, Phish will always be a part of my life. I am, however, always open to new music. Right now, some of my favorite music comes from the funk sounds of The Meters to the new wave sounds of the Talking Heads, and yes, even rap. I saw Lil Wayne two weeks ago and The Disco Biscuits on New Year's Eve. As I said before, music is my life.

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What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

April 14, 2011
By LEVI STOVER - Sun-Gazette Correspondent , Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Different music genre's have their own personality. So, all sorts of different people are listening to different things because of who they are. This is why music is such a big role in most people's lives. So, what I'm listening to might be different than the average joe.

I'm listening to music with a purpose. When I say purpose, I mean the artist actually put time into what they were writing. That's why I spend most of my time listening to music from the '60s. In the '60s there was so much going on politically that music exploded with great lyrics and soul. Musicians started writing about what was real to them - musicians such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead.

My favorite band from this time period is The Doors because of that main reason. Jim Morrison's lyrics blew my mind the first time I sat down and really listened to them. The power of his words will continue to change people's lives forever, even though he's been dead for 40 years now. I also love the fact that Rob Krieger only played electric guitar for six months before joining the band and that Ray Manzarek is a musical genius.

I also love hearing the music and what a group of musicians has to offer. This is why I love Pink Floyd. Not only do they have great lyrics but they are very talented musically. They have songs more than 17 minutes in length and I wish they didn't end. The varied solos that David Gilmour plays are outstanding. If you listen hard enough, you will hear random sounds that make you wonder why they put it in there. But if they didn't put those sounds in there, the song would not be the same at all.

Pink Floyd has opened me up to a lot of new bands. If I didn't like them I would not like John Cage or anything experimental. Experimental music is a huge part of my life right now. When you break it down and question this style of music you ask "Is this really music?" The answer is yes. A fine teacher of mine told me that music does not have to be in a certain key, playing a certain amount of notes that make sense musically. The way he describes music changed my perspective of it and it is no longer the same. This is why experimental music has become a big part of my life.

My cousins have gotten me into a lot of different music styles as well. They introduced me to Sublime and a lot of punk bands. Now I am a huge Sublime fan. Brad Nowell's upstroke patterns are so odd. He played them so well, but when I sit down and try to figure them out, I have trouble. Another reason I admire Sublime is because they didn't want to do anything besides play music. They all had an obsession with their band and they took it all seriously. When I listen to the many songs I have by them I'm never disappointed. There is not one Sublime song I do not like.

I also find myself listening to a lot of grunge and heavy music. This music has a lot of meaning. Whether you believe it or not, it truly does. It gives me the chance to listen to something meaningful and intense at the same time. This music literally moves me. There is no way I could ever listen to any Nirvana song and just sit there. It makes you want to get up and jump around and move.

For me music is nothing but personality. It's a way of defining who you are. So this is who I am and what I've been listening to.

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What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

March 31, 2011
By KATIE KAHN - Special to the Sun-Gazette , Williamsport Sun-Gazette

uptown music collective what i'm listening to katie kahnApparently my love for music goes back to before I can remember. My mom loves to tell me about how I would bounce and dance to anything that had a beat and I even had rhythm. I can remember road trips with my family filled with Led Zeppelin, Cream, Traffic and a lot of Pink Floyd. My parents always had a love for music, which they passed on to me.

I started out playing the violin and saxophone during my elementary years. I became bored with them so I switched to guitar and drums. I've been singing my whole life. It's like people have that one thing they love to do no matter what and that's my one thing.

Deciding what bands I wanted to talk about was simple, yet hard. Sublime has always been one of my favorite bands - something about their music always gets me jumping around and in a good mood. I listen to them when I'm getting ready for the ordinary boring school day and they get me pumped and excited.

I can just lay down at night and turn some Sublime on and be totally relaxed and at ease. Their style of music is like a combination of everything put into one awesome song.

They're totally chill and, at the same time, hyped up. Sublime is the band I can just turn on and walk outside and take pictures and be completely satisfied. They change my perception on the world and my perception on things.

Every song has a different story, yet they all kind of tie together. All their songs are like big jam-out sessions with cool lyrics - and isn't the best kind of music the kind you can jam to?

Another band that I can just sit down and chill to is Cake. I don't think their lyrics really mean much of anything, but I love them. They're like completely irrelevant. For some reason, though, their music is awesome.

My favorite song is "Sheep go to Heaven." I have no idea what the song means, but it's a cool song. Cake is the band that you can sit down and listen to and not have to think at all, cause there's absolutely nothing to think about. Everything they have to say and what they mean is right there in the song.

Their style of music is interesting too. Their lead singer, John McCrea, doesn't really sing, he talks most of the time. I think that this makes them unique because most bands don't do that.

Music is something that is calming to everyone. You need to find your own style and comfort zone and just jam. It's a beautiful thing and it an art, an expression. What you can't say, you can play.

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What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

February 17, 2011 - By TESS MARSHALL Special to the Sun-Gazette
uptown music collective what i'm listening to tess marshallAs a result of my musical experiences, I have come to admire many different genres. As I continue to grow, mature and learn, I have acquired a greater appreciation for music. I also have learned to appreciate the sounds produced by different individuals and bands based upon their own aspirations, styles and emotions. As I continue my never-ending search for new sounds, I have come across an album just released in June 2010.
Herbie Hancock's "Imagine Project" is an album about world peace, love and the individual's responsibility for the condition of the world in which we live.
This album is a collaboration of 12 global music icons. It is a touching attempt to open the eyes and hearts of people around the world in order to promote world peace. This inspirational album reflects the ideas and feelings of 12 superstars from around the world and certainly captures the ear of the listener.
The songs included in this album are covers of popular songs while the artist's own interpretation shines through with a variety of jazz lines, vocal runs and even the use of various languages. The first song, "Imagine," is one that sticks out in my mind when I think about this album.
Originally by John Lennon, it portrays a world unaffected by the struggles of everyday life while showcasing the talent of Hancock and various other stars.
The first few times I listened to this song, I was captivated by the beautiful melody, but after looking deeper, I felt that I understood that this was a song meant to speak to generations to come.
As I further explored the album, I came across a song featuring James Morrison, "A Change is Gonna Come." This is a song that will make you want to try your hand at composing music as soon as the last chord sounds. The simple, yet intriguing melody paired with James Morrison's phenomenal voice is a combination not to be missed.
As I listen to music, I determine what I like based on the connection I feel while listening, instead of over-analyzing intricate melodies or difficult parts.
In my experience, music is about an emotional and intellectual connection with the material. Music that stirs the soul is the music I have grown to love.

Introducing Clyde Frog

Band features Uptown Music Collective students

February 10, 2011 - By SABRINA HAYNES shaynes@sungazette.com
A few years ago, some members of the Uptown Music Collective decided to pursue their musical interests outside of the Collective and start a band.
The name of that band is Clyde Frog.
The members of Clyde Frog are Torey Harding, Montgomery, on guitar; Josh Hines, Jersey Shore, on guitar and vocals; Collin Dennen, South Williamsport, on bass and vocals; and Chris Kohler, Sullivan County, on drums.
"Chris came up with the name one day; he got it from a TV cartoon character," Harding said. "I think he was looking for the most ridiculous thing you could name a band, and Clyde Frog just stuck with us."
Before forming Clyde Frog, the members had played with UMC throughout middle and high school, according to Harding.
"I remember the first time I saw Collin perform, he was in eighth grade," Harding said. "He was playing the bass and jumping and leaping all over the stage. He was quite the performer from the beginning."
Music is something the guys are very passionate about.
"This passion has drawn us to become better musicians, but also really great friends," Harding said. "It is always such a pleasure every time I get the chance to perform with Chris, Josh and Collin. They always push me to get better and give me tons of inspiration."
As far as influences go, the band puts The Beatles at the top of the list.
"As performers, musicians and songwriters, they have given us inspiration in many forms that has really expanded our creativity," Harding said.
The group likes to find songs that grab the audience and make them feel connected to the band.
"Whether this is a Beatles or an Allman Brothers tune, we try to perform in a way that people are able to connect music with an emotion or experience that they may have," Harding said.
Clyde Frog mostly plays rock 'n' roll and blues music from the '60s and '70s, which means the audience is usually familiar with a lot of the material.
"A lot of people have prior connections to the music we play," Harding said.
And while the band does play covers, it makes sure to put its own original twist on the songs.
"In the end, with some improvisation and creativity, we try to create music that just really grooves.," Harding said.
The band usually plays in venues in the Williamsport area.
"During the school year, we are limited to when we can play," Harding said. "I am going to school in Boston at the Berklee College of Music, Chris is going to Penn College and Collin is a senior in high school."
Over Christmas break, the band was able to set up a lot of shows.
"We plan on playing every weekend and just as much as possible," Harding said.
This summer, the group plans on writing and recording.
"Right now, we are in the beginning stages, but it will be a great experience to explore and expand on our own original music," Harding said.
The band shows no signs of slowing down - it will perform May 21 and July 1 at the Kast Hotel, 723 Arch St.; May 28 at the Lodge Inn, 2019 E. Third St.; June 10 at the Riverside Lounge, 125 S. Main St.; and Aug. 13 at the Muncy Legion, 515 Legion Road, Muncy.
"I really hope that I can continue to share my love for music with these guys, forever," Harding said.
For more information about Clyde Frog, visit www.myspace.com/clyde frogisaband.
To book the band, e-mail tharding1@berklee .net.

What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

August 26, 2010 - By GABE STILLMAN Special to the Sun-Gazette
Music is limitless in its interpretation: every person is individual in what he or she thinks, feels or believes about the music they hear and perform - that's why music is one of the purest forms of self-expression. The music we listen to helps define who we are; it marks the stages of our lives and helps us with decisions along the way. Music can be aggressive, relaxing, fast, slow, quiet or loud. It can reflect a mood, tone, or emotion you're feeling at any particular time. I suppose that's why, as a 15-year-old high school sophomore, the music I'm listening to right now is the blues.
I don't know what makes me so fascinated by it. It may be its simplicity, the storytelling or the true heart and soul that the musicians put into it. All of these factors mirror the soul-searching I'm doing as I try to plan the rest of my life.
As a guitar player, the one person who seems to symbolize everything that is the blues is B.B. King. There is something so powerful about the way he sings and plays his guitar. The man makes people cry. If you watch him perform, you can see that he is putting every ounce of himself into the music, making his guitar speak. Sometimes his guitar yells, other times it whispers, but he is always amazing.
King was born in the Mississippi Delta, home to other blues legends like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Howlin' Wolf (isn't it strange that so many bluesmen are from the same place?).
However, King would soon leave Mississippi and find his way to Memphis to begin recording. It was his early records like "Sweet Little Angel" and "Everyday I Have the Blues" that began to get the attention of radio DJs. In 1969, King released the most important song of his career, "The Thrill Is Gone," which went on to win a Grammy Award for best Rhythm and Blues Male Vocal Performance. His career spans three decades and, even at 84 years old, King is still ripping it up night after night. He is the King of Blues and, even when we lose the man, his music will never die.
Another great blues legend and favorite of mine is Buddy Guy. If King is the king of blues, Guy is the prime minister.
A native of Louisiana, Guy has had the blues from the beginning. He began to teach himself to play guitar with a two string diddley bow that he made himself. In 1957, Guy moved to Chicago and became a session musician for Chess Records, playing with artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson.
I love Guy's guitar playing. It says so much about the possibilities of your instrument. From his monstrous bends, to his smallest vibrato, Guy has a sound that cannot be touched. I listen to him when I'm having a bad day - when there are pressures and expectations weighing me down - and he knows exactly how I feel. I begin to feel better because he knows.
Both King and Guy are blues legends. They capture the true spirit of the blues with their charisma and love of the music. Their emotions resonate through their instruments and they communicate with their listeners in a way that other musical styles can't. No matter how my life changes and even as I find new music to play and listen to, I will always return to the blues.

What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

August 12, 2010 - By BRANDON ROUTE Special to Sun-Gazette
Anyone who has seen my iPod will be able to guess that I don't watch MTV or listen to Variety 97.7. I'm not enamored with Lady Gaga's glamorous club hits or The Black Eyed Peas' feel-good anthems. However, I think that my music library has something for everyone in it.
As a pianist of 12 years, I mostly play classical music, when I'm not playing more diverse genres of music with the Uptown Music Collective. However, while I enjoy playing classical music, I listen to very little of it. I think that there are many modern artists who are worth listening to, from Lisa Hannigan to Kate Nash; however, that doesn't mean that some classics should be overlooked, whether they're from the time of Mozart or Electric Light Orchestra.
One of my musical obsessions is Regina Spektor. I'm the kind of person who might have 30 artists who have one song each on my iPod, but my library of Regina Spektor extends to 96 songs so far. This musician was born 30 years ago in the former USSR and fell in love with the piano, learning on a Petrof upright.
She and her family then emigrated when she was 9 years old - not speaking a word of English - and eventually settled in the Bronx. Around the age of 15, the people around her realized her ability to make up unique, captivating songs and at 21, she released her first album, producing it herself.
Each of her albums, and really each of her songs, has its own genre, defying traditional labeling of her music as a whole (which is usually categorized as "anti-folk"). "11:11" is full of jazz vocal stylings, while "Songs" is a collection of quirky "little ditties" with thought-provoking lyrics. Her most recent album, "Far," reached No. 1 during its release last year.
Her voice is unlike any other - abrasive and polished at the same time - and her recordings make it seem like she's in the room singing to you. If you've never heard this artist, she's definitely worth looking up.
I am also attracted to French-language music. I especially like the smokey, Norah Jones-type voice of Carla Bruni, who also is the First Lady of France, and the pop-style music of 17-year-old Camelia Jordana.
One of the more popular artists I enjoy listening to is Feist. This Canadian musician was recently popularized by her single "1234," but her sound is not mainstream. Instead, she blends many musical genres into her songs, using a large variety of instruments and sounds to make colorful compositions.
She also has something for every mood - from the smooth, sadness-tinged sounds of "The Park" and "The Limit To Your Love," to the eclectic and happy "Mushaboom," to the mellow, easy-listening-inspired "Gatekeeper."
I think that one of the most important things is to listen to songs that match your mood. It's hard to listen to a happy song when you're angry, or a mellow song when you're excited. The right music at the right time can accentuate or alleviate your emotions. Music is much more than just notes and rhythms; it's an expression of the soul.

What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

August 5, 2010 - By BRIANNA PETE Special to the Sun-Gazette
As a vocalist, I try to surround myself with many styles of music, songs and musicians.
Because I have history in musical theater, Broadway tunes are a big part of my life, but you wouldn't find these songs on my iPod unless I was auditioning for a part. What you would find is a diversified song list that includes jazz, Latin, contemporary R&B and rock.
This past year has been a whirlwind for me as far as music goes. I have made new and wonderful friends that have introduced me to wonderful new artists.
But I still have kept many of my old favorites. One of these is Heart. Heart is a rock band whose founding members came from Seattle, Wash.
The band has gone through several lineup changes and the only constant members of the group are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson.
Ann had a stuttering problem as a child, which is why she turned to music rather than another profession.
Heart rose to fame in the 1970s with its music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music.
My favorite songs by Heart are "Alone" and "Crazy on You." Heart's version of "Alone" is a power ballad that begins with a piano line and a subdued vocal from Ann Wilson, only to build to a dramatic love song. I would love to have the opportunity to sing this song onstage some day.
"Crazy on You" starts with an acoustic guitar intro and then turns into fast-paced hard rock that was the signature sound of the band in its early years. This song paired an electric guitar and an acoustic female guitarist, which was a rarity in rock music during that time. The lyrics of "Crazy on You" tell of a person's desire to forget all the problems of the world during one night of passion. Ann revealed the song was written in response to stress caused by the Vietnam War and social unrest in the United States in the early '70s.
You will find Nora Jones on my iPod because I find her vocals to be amazing. Jones is the daughter of an Indian sitar player and a concert producer. At the age of 16, she officially changed her name from Geethali Shankar to Norah Jones. Her songs are a blend of jazz and traditional vocal pop with a hint of bluesy country and contemporary folk. She has a vocal style that is mellow, relaxed and laid back.
"I'm not melancholy; I'm a happy-go-lucky person, kind of silly. I like funny things. I have a lot of energy. I tend to like music that's mellow, though," Jones said. That quote could describe me. I am so much like her, as I tend to gravitate to music that is mellower and I am a happy-go-lucky person who loves to have fun.
Well, OK, The Ocean was not mellow but I am constantly broadening my horizons! I find listening to Jones' music puts me in a happy place surrounded by happy people.
I am excited when I listen to a song that portrays deep emotion and a singer that is able to communicate that emotion to the audience. It is a singer's job to make the audience feel the song. If I would give you my iPod to listen to, you will find that each song on there in some way is a reflection of my own personality on any given day.

What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

July 29, 2010 - By COLLIN DENNEN Special to the Sun-Gazette
My 17th birthday goes down as my greatest birthday since my canine-themed party when I turned 6 and we ate cake out of dog food bowls. On Sept. 15th last year, Akron/Family came to Site: B to play with Doc Mach and The Field Surgeons and two bands they were touring with. One of those bands was the Denmark-based, Slaraffenland.
Slaraffenland's performance blew me away and I ended up buying their CD, "We're On Your Side," which just had been released in America that day. Second to my ticket to the show, that album was the best gift I got myself!
The Danish word "slaraffenland" translates to "the land of milk and honey" in English. This title is very fitting for this band; its songs have this inherent sleepy-eyed, joyful feeling. The band members may very well be inspired by Copenhagen, the landscape they hail from.
"Long Gone," the opening track to "We're On Your Side," is the perfect prologue for the album. The song is about escaping some sort of violence and also puts everything characteristic about the band on the line. Slaraffenland uses auxillary percussion in a very unique way. In most cases in popular music, the drum kit is a separate entity to what is going on in the rest of the percussion ensemble, but in the case of Slaraffenland, it acts as a base from which all other percussion patterns are built. Hand claps, stomps, floor toms, shakers, tambourines and drum kits all interact to create one heavy and very dynamic groove. The breakdown on the track "Open Your Eyes" is Slaraffenland's percussive groove at its best. Next to the band's groove on this album, the group's vocal arrangements also are very unique and powerful.
Harmonized vocals have become very popular in the alternative music scene. Bands such as Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear and Akron/Family fill their sound with three-, sometimes four-part harmonies. Slaraffenland, however, favors two-part harmonies. What makes the band's vocals just as powerful as its contemporaries is that those two-part harmonies are doubled by each band member. Because all five members offer up their vocal talents, you often have three members just singing the melody while the other two sing the harmony.
The unison gives a very theatrical sound to the vocals. This also means there isn't necessarily a lead singer on many of the tracks. The song "Postcard" features several of the Slaraffenland personnel only singing the melody; there are no harmonized vocals. This sing-a-long sound fits the track very well - as it is a song about keeping friendships even over long distances. Another feature in this song is woodwind and brass arrangements. Each member is accomplished in more than one instrument, adding to the band's dynamic.
The whole idea and theme to "We're On Your Side" can be put into one word: community. The album is very aptly titled in that respect because every facet of the music is a group effort from the percussion, to the vocals, to the instrumentals, to the small brass and woodwind embellishments. The band - as a whole - works together in such a way that even the listeners feel that they are part of the music and knowing that you are included as a listener to this big team effort that is Slaraffenland makes you feel great!

What I'm Listening to ...

featuring Uptown Music Collective

July 22, 2010 - By JOSH HINES Special to the Sun-Gazette
Over the years, as I learn to better appreciate the sounds and expressions of music, I have come to realize that I don't just enjoy listening to music because of the sounds that are produced, but because of how the artist connects me to their personal experiences.
Music, to me, is so much more than waves of sound hitting the eardrum, causing vibrations; it is the conveyance of one's emotions, opinions and dreams all wrapped up into one ball of sound. As I listen to more contrasting styles of music over time, I continually find myself drawn to these three albums:
"Floating World"
Anathallo, a seven-piece group, originally from Mount Pleasant, Mich., has developed a very unique sound.
The percussive nature, elegant vocal harmonies and unusual song structure in this album has come to influence me in not only my musical experiences but also in my daily life.
"Akron/Family"
This group - now based in New York City and Portland, Ore. - is a three-piece band specializing in long psychedelic jams, interesting improvisations and unique vocal harmonies. Seth Olinsky, guitarist-vocalist, and Dana Janssen, drummer, are originally from Williamsport. I believe that their roots have a lot to do with the band's influence on myself. The success of Akron/Family gives me hope that maybe someday I can be a successful musician.
In this album, you will hear a wide range of sounds - from the crackle of a fire pit to the squeak of a rocking chair, all of the sounds are used to give a certain atmosphere to the album.
"Grace"
By far the greatest influence on my musical style, Jeff Buckley has become far more than just an idol - he's also a role model for my future in music. Buckley was born in Anaheim, Calif., into a very musical family. His father, Tim Buckley, though he only met him once, was a successful folk musician; his mother was a classically trained pianist and cellist; and his stepfather had introduced him to the music of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen and Jimi Hendrix.
At a young age, Buckley had become very interested in music and continued this obsession until his death in 1997.
In his only album, "Grace," Buckley expresses many emotions through his angelic voice and ingenious guitar playing. Buckley was an amazing songwriter as well. His touching lyrics, explosive hits and unsurpassed vocal melodies fill this album and never fail to give me chills. While listening to this album, you hear of Buckley's lifetime experiences while analyzing the beauty of his music.
Music is all about how the sound comes together to convey the emotions, opinions and dreams of the artist. I have learned many things about music in the past few years and I look forward to unwinding the mysteries of sound as I continue my musical career.

What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

July 15, 2010 - By DERON JOHNSON Special to the Sun-Gazette
It was day seven of the 2010 Rochester International Jazz Festival and I was going to see the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. The band's festival blurb said it recently performed jazz interpretations of Beethoven's Third and Sixth symphonies.
When I sat down - inches from the stage - I saw a floor littered with effects pedals and a lap steel guitar. It was safe to say that I had no idea what to expect. What I got was one of the most energetic and interesting shows of the whole festival. I went back for the band's second set later that night and between the two sets, I got to hear all the tunes from its latest release, "Stay Gold."
The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is a four-piece band hailing from Tulsa, Okla. The band is Brian Haas on piano; Josh Raymer on drums; Jeff Harshbarger on double bass; and Chris Combs on lap steel guitar.
Haas looks like a mad scientist and plays his instrument much the same way. He uses the whole of his instrument from flurries of notes in the highest register to low, floor-shaking rumbles, all the while urging the band on with yells of pure excitement and joy.
Raymer's drumming captivated me from the opening snare hit to the last cymbal crash. The grooves he created with bassist Harshbarger were so tight that I was sure there was some sort of devilry involved.
Rounding out the group, Combs adds a very distinct melodic voice to the band. With an army of delay and reverb pedals, he deploys simple melodies that soar above the band and leave you humming the tunes after the first hearing.
The album "Stay Gold" opens with "The Sensation of Seeing Light," an aptly named tune that instantly typifies the Jacob Fred sound: a driving groove between drums and bass with a plaintive melody from Combs' lap steel. This initial offering also demonstrates the band's great songwriting. Its ability to develop a melody over time and through different sections is one of the things that makes the band's music so interesting.
The next tune on the album is about jumping on a trampoline with your friends. "Trampoline Phoenix" captures this feeling perfectly and showcases the drumming of Josh Raymer throughout.
"David" begins as a calm and simple tune, with subdued drumming and only the piano on the melody. The tune eventually warps into a frenzy with swirling lap steel and Haas pounding away at the piano like a madman, all held together by the unyielding groove between the bass and drums.
"The Return" is one of the standout tracks on the album for me. With an addicting piano and bass riff, and the use of a melodica by Haas, the band once again showcases its ability to develop a melody as well as their complete dynamic control.
Following "Song for Lauren," a tune by drummer Raymer, "Hamby's Window" is a song that stood out during the live show. After stretching out with some solos, the band came together to accelerate faster and faster until it couldn't speed up anymore, ending the frenzy with a sharp cut, which was followed by an instantaneous uproar of approval from the crowd.
The title track, "Stay Gold," has one of the most devastating grooves ever created by man. If you only look into one tune from the album, make it this one. This band's sense of dynamics is one of most striking aspects of their music, and it shows on this tune.
Unfortunately, I don't think this comes across as well on the recording as it did live. During the shows, the band rose and fell together like a finely tuned machine, doing so with the energy of a child on Christmas morning.
The final cut on the album, "This, Our Home," can't follow "Stay Gold." It's comparable to watching American Youth Soccer after the World Cup. However, this is one of my only gripes with the album - and its a small one. This album delivers on every level and I think this music is such that everyone can enjoy.
With a sound heavily influenced by jazz, rock, classical music and hip-hop (a song called "Drethoven" was born from the band's equal love of Dr. Dre and Beethoven), the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey has created a very diverse and enjoyable album. Stay gold, everyone.

What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

July 8, 2010 - By SHANNON CANTOR Special to the Sun-Gazette
There is no way that I can adequately describe all the music that I listen to with only one album or even one artist. I enjoy such a myriad of styles, songs and musicians that it is difficult to choose which I listen to the most. However, in order to keep this article relatively short, three albums that frequent my CD player are: Fiona Apple's "Tidal," Arcade Fire's "Funeral," and The Beatles' "Abbey Road."
"Tidal," by Fiona Apple, is an album I connect with on many levels. The richness, power and emotion heard in every word she sings are things I aspire to have as a vocalist. On this particular album, one sees an array of emotions painted across the CD.
"Shadowboxer" features an almost pleading tone, while "Criminal" is much more dark and sly. Finally, the song "Never Is a Promise" takes the listener to a place where hope is scarce and disappointment inevitable.
As heartrending as parts of this album can be, talent bleeds from Apple's writing, piano playing, vocals and lyrics - ultimately creating a brilliant album.
Over the past year, I started to listen to Arcade Fire. Although many of their songs contain simple chords and forms, there is depth in the music throughout the album, found in the many voices and instruments that cause an unnamable force, which draws one into a feeling of complexity in its simplicity.
The entire album "Funeral" never ceases to sweep me away with the emotional power it holds. Each song on this album has the ability to change the mood of the room simply with the sincerity heard - even through the CD player. This factor alone, even above the high quality of the songs, is what causes this album to stay with me.
I could not have written this article without mentioning The Beatles. The band's classic "Abbey Road" is the only one of these albums that I could cite as a "favorite" album. However, this one, especially, is key in my musical preferences. The impeccable harmonies on "Because" and "Sun King" are unforgettable, as well as the bone-jarring pulse created in "She's So Heavy."
In addition, the most beautiful melody that I think I have ever heard is in "Golden Slumbers." The incredible musical convolution placed into each one of these songs is stunning, as well as the emotion and passion shown through all that The Beatles created.
Emotion in music links all three of these albums. No matter how intricate or simple the song, the emotion and sincerity placed into the music is felt. These two things, as well as the passion involved, are what the audience feels and also what they remember. "Tidal" (Fiona Apple), "Funeral" (Arcade Fire) and "Abbey Road" (The Beatles), are albums to which I continue to return to - not just because they contain "cool songs," but because they seep with passion, emotion and sincerity.

What I'm Listening to ...

Uptown Music Collective

July 1, 2010 - By JONAH WALTERS Special to the Sun-Gazette
Though my musical tastes tend to scatter and reconverge as I continuously search for new sounds, there is one album I repeatedly revisit - one that I always find to be moving and inspiring: John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme."
This is an album remarkable for its emotional depth and musical daring, but also for the deep spirituality and soul-barring devotion revealed in Coltrane's transcendent improvisations.
Coltrane's deep, emotive lines scream a sacrificial joy in their delivery, a selfless offering to a God whom Coltrane felt he could only reach through the vulnerability and nakedness of music.
John Coltrane was a deeply religious man, a gifted saxophonist and composer who experienced several religious transformations throughout his life. He never bound himself to a particular faith, but instead welcomed the opportunity to reveal the mystery on his own terms, through the intense vulnerability and emotional exhaustion that came from spontaneous creation.
Toward the end of his tragically short life, he became interested in Kabbalah and eastern religion, and increasingly felt that he only could adequately praise God through his music. In his recordings, we are given the opportunity to examine his deep religiosity and be moved by the inspirational selflessness of his playing; we can stand in awe of the powerful voice he offers through his horn, often playing past the point of exhaustion, straining his lungs, his throat and his lips as he forces air from his frail flesh into the silver-gold of his horn and into the invincible creation where it is immortalized as prayer. A self-flagellation in blue.
More impressive still is that this spiritual nakedness is sought and achieved in the company of others and not within the safe environment of a place of worship, but in the scientific surroundings of a recording studio.
He creates some of his most crushingly emotional music - music of prayerful struggle and religious conviction - among his friends and collaborators, exposed and unembarrassed.
"A Love Supreme" is a suite meant to be listened to as a single entity rather than as a collection of isolated ideas. Coltrane chooses a simple four-syllable phrase (the title of the album) as his mantra, chanting it musically and, ultimately, verbally throughout the course of the first movement, "Acknowledgment" - building this simple idea into the delicate devotion and total trust of the final "Psalm."
Coltrane's playing has been compared to the impassioned shouting of a preacher, the zealous chant of African shamans, the joyful, frenetic song of a congregation possessed and uninhibited in its praising of God. It is powerful and sensitive, prayerful and passionate and above all, grateful in it's intensity and loving in its grace.
The final movement, "Psalm," is meant to be experienced in conjunction with a poem of Coltrane's, included in the liner notes.
Coltrane literally recites the poem melodically through his saxophone, beginning with the title and ending with the devout intoning of his final "Amen."
Using the syllables of the written word as a loose, elastic guide, he plays the poem, adopting the oft repeated "Thank you God" as a kind of mantra - a unifying theme.
So apparent is the bond between poem and melody that one cannot be lost in the text or in the tune, as the emotional colors and syllabic accents are so artfully accurate from line to line - a seamless fusion of language and sound.
At the end of the tune, after his final quivering Amen, Coltrane adds a tag to the melody, maintaining it's emotional depth through the last trembling tone of his horn.
In one of the first instances of overdubbing in traditional jazz, he adds two contrasting saxophone lines panned to two different channels, accented only by the timpani and cymbal swells that are heard throughout the piece.
On the right can be heard a joyful line of rapid, upwardly moving notes - a victorious ascension resolving triumphantly in a burst of grateful sound - while on the left is heard a low rumble, a slow descent to a final, definitive end: the laying down to rest.
For me, this still stands as one of the most moving moments of all recorded music and it is especially relevant now, 43 years after John Coltrane's tragic death.
 
 
 
 

 

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