The Record Company with Trapper Schoepp, 10/6/16- Turner Hall Ballroom

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

"No matter where I go, this will always be home, Milwaukee," Chris Vos declared to an ecstatic sold-out crowd.  While The Record Company rocked Turner Hall this spring, and were stellar at Summerfest this past June, their most recent show at Turner Hall showcased the band at perhaps its all-time best.  A new drum kit for Marc Cazoria, a new lap steel for Chis Vos, and an improved light show were perhaps the obvious upgrades.  However, the confidence exuded by the musicians who held the capacity crowd in the palm of their hands track after track, is what put this performance from The Record Company into the "truly exceptional" category. The trio has developed some serious stage swagger that frontman Chris Vos embodies by jumping and jamming from one side of the stage to the other, sometimes with a retro mic and harmonica, other times with an acoustic or electric guitar, and even taking the lap steel to (literally) new heights.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

The band's set highlighted their critically acclaimed release Give It Back To You.  Vos and company performed scorching renditions of stand out tracks like "On the Move," and "Hard Day Coming Down." The John Lee Hooker boogie of "Don't Let Me Get Lonely," was very well-received with heavy bass grooves provided by Alex Stiff on this track and throughout the evening.  A set highlight was an unexpected cover of the Beastie Boys' "So What'cah Want," that The Record Company recorded for the #Jaminthevan series as a memorial to one of their musical icons Adam "MCA" Yauch who passed away from cancer in 2012.  The soul and passion exuded on this track was palpable as the crowd bounced, swayed, and sang along with the chorus.  To quote a concert neighbor standing in back of me, "These guys just ooze rock 'n roll from their veins, man." Well put.  While "Off The Ground," The Record Company's breakthrough single got a rousing reaction from the crowd, the unreleased older jam, "The Burner," was equally moving, with Vos's manic jamming on the lap steel guitar.

Performance aside, this show was a genuine homecoming for Vos, with a table reserved for his parents on the side of the Turner Hall Ballroom, a Facetime call to Vos's wife Valerie before the set closer, and a heartfelt shout out to the crowd with Vos emotionally stating, "A lot of people say thank you, but for me and the band, this means more to us than I'm able to explain.  (With hand clutched towards his heart) Thank YOU."  With passion, humility and talent like Vos and his band mates have, no wonder this tour is selling out venues across the country.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Opening for The Record Company was Milwaukee's own rock 'n roll troubadour, Trapper Schoepp. If Chris Vos and The Record Company showcased a Milwaukee musician that has "made it" nationally, Trapper Schoepp might soon be passed that baton.  Schoepp realized he had a sold out room and played to the crowd with a high energy set that had Schoepp jumping into the crowd early on for a rendition of "Freight Train," a popular sing-along anthem for fans who have had the pleasure of seeing Schoepp before.  Schoepp's passion and charisma were evident with stellar roots-rock and blues inspired tracks like "Run Engine Run," an homage to Schoepp's grandfather, and "Settlin' or Sleepin' Around," the current stand-out single off of Schoepp's most recent record Rangers and Valentines which was released earlier this year.  Most fans were in attendance for Schoepp's set and were treated to forty five minutes of Milwaukee style solid rock 'n roll at its finest.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

The Record Company Setlist (thanks to setlist.fm):

On the Move
Baby I'm Broken
Hard Day Coming Down
Rita Mae Young
Feels So Good
Turn Me Loose
Don't Let Me Get Lonely
So What'cha Want (Beastie Boys cover)
The Crooked City
Off the Ground
The Burner

Encore:
In the Mood for You

Buffalo Gospel with Joseph Huber- October 1, 2016 "The Secret Garden"

photo by Will Piper

Buffalo Gospel returned to the intimate picaresque settings of Riverwest's "Secret Garden" for their second annual house show performance.  The cool autumn breeze created the slightest nip in the air which caused music fans to huddle close together amid a plethora of plants for this incredible evening of fun, friendship and great music.  This year Buffalo Gospel brought along the prolific Joseph Huber to open the show.

While perhaps best known to date for his tenure with the .357 String Band, Huber has made a name for himself as a solo artist with his regular touring and introspective narrative songwriting.  Joined by longtime collaborator Jason Loveall on fiddle, Huber sat on his suitcase assuming his "one man-many instrument" approach to performing.  He tapped away on the box with a tambourine strapped to his foot as he played a bounty of fresh numbers, many of which will appear on his new record which will hopefully be released before the end of the year.  Huber also played several noteworthy tracks off of his two solo releases, 2014's The Hanging Road and 2010's Bury Me Where I Fall.  A set highlight was a high energy rendition of  "Shovel on Your Shoulder," one of Huber's many stand out tracks off of The Hanging Road, which saw Loveall cut loose on the fiddle as well.  Huber's humility and approachable nature comes forth in his songs and make him a special artist- one whom many fans can easily relate to.

photo by Will Piper

Buffalo Gospel was up next to headline the evening.  The Milwaukee alternative country quintet continues to evolve as vocalist Ryan Necci sharpens his songwriting and vocal prowess.  Like Huber, Buffalo Gospel played a boon of new songs mixed in between fan favorites.  On his Facebook Page, Huber referred to some of the newer Buffalo Gospel tracks as "instant classics."  This would certainly hold true for one of the set highights, "High Time to Hang Fire," a newer track that Buffalo Gospel has been performing throughout the year, and is a likely inclusion on their forthcoming release.  This track showcases Buffalo Gospel's heart tugging songwriting and the locomotive force of Necci's vocals.  

Buffalo Gospel continued their collaboration with fellow Milwaukee musical treasure, Chris Porterfield.   Porterfield's loose jangly guitar added rich texture and timbres to the band's sound. Alongside newer numbers, Buffalo Gospel played many fan favorites, closing the set with "Mule," and then playing a double encore of "If I Was The Last Man" and "Letters to Georgia,"  bringing the "Secret Garden" crowd tot their feet in rousing support of this Milwaukee gem of an act.

The scenic beauty of  "The Secret Garden" coupled with pristine sets of moving music from Joseph Huber and Buffalo Gospel made for a wonderfully enchanting night.  We can't wait for the next "Secret Garden" show.

Buffalo Gospel Setlist:

Lonestar
Hoarse as a Crow
High Time to Hang Fire
Homeless
Cant Afford to Die >
On the First Bell
She Ain't Gonna Hold
Hill Outside My Home
18 Wheeler
When Lonesome Comes Calling
The Western (the Devil is Me)
Son of a Gun
Mule

Encore: If I Was the Last Man
Encore 2: Letters to Georgia

Joseph Huber Setlist:
You Showed Me
Two -Tongued Swear
Drop in the Bucket
Fell off the Wagon
Comin' Down From You
Diminished Things
An Old Mountain Tune
The Suffering Stage
Same River Twice
Tongues of Fire
Broken Paddles
The Hanging Road

Steve Gunn- September 17, 2016- Cactus Club, Milwaukee,WI

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Make no mistake about it, Steve Gunn is one of modern music's truly great guitarists- even if you may have not heard of him yet.  With a repertoire of influences that spans from classical Indian music to an affection for the jammier stylings of southern blues-rock artists, Gunn, delivered a riveting set of exceptional finger picking axemanship before a strong crowd in the intimate confines of the Cactus Club last Saturday evening.  There were many choices for music fans last Saturday- ranging from the Rock the Green Sustainability Fest to the Bayview Bash, but the strong turnout at the Cactus Club showed that Steve Gunn may be an artist who won't be under the radar for much longer.

Gunn delivers his licks with just his fingers, and seamlessly integrates his trippy guitar jams alongside the rhythmic forces of his airtight backing band, "The Outliers."  Gunn has been making music for fifteen years, and may be best known for his work in the bludgeoning Americana-blues-psych scene in Philadelphia as a regular member of Kurt Vile's band, "The Violators."  Now based out of New York, Gunn is turning heads with his two most recent studio recordings, 2014's Way Out Weather, and this year's stellar release Eyes on the Lines.  Melding together his multiple influences and taking on vocal duties, Gunn juxtaposes introspective and sometimes sparse lyrics alongside multi-layered complex guitar riffs that truly tell the stories of Gunns songs.

Highlights of Gunn's set included the heart gripping "Ancient Jules," off of Eyes on the Lines.  The gentle meanderings of "Nature Driver"caused an almost catatonic head-bob from the crowd.  Perhaps the most rivoting number was the jammed out rendition of "Way out Weather" off of 2014's album by the same name that came at the end of the performance.

Gunn may not be a household name yet, but may no mistakes about it- with chops as strong as his, and with his band, "The Outliers" jamming full-tilt, it's a great time to catch Gunn and his crew at small clubs while you can.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Lake Street Dive- Turner Hall Ballroom, 8/23/16

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Lake Street Dive is a band that is hard not to like.  The veteran quartet from Brooklyn via Boston has been around for the past decade, and has risen to more national prominence in recent years thanks to two back-to-back stellar releases, 2014's Bad Self Portraits, and this year's Side Pony.  The classically jazz trained quartet showed off their chops in front of a packed house at Turner Hall, with fans ranging in age from 10-70+.  I'm not sure if there is another act out there that draws from such a diverse age demographic.

Lake Street Dive's sound is a true mix of soul, Motown, classic rock, pop and swing, that simply makes you want to sway and groove.  The quartet are "musicians musicians," who have been playing instruments since the third grade, and their infectious stage presence makes it evident that they enjoy making music with one another and truly love their jobs.

Rachael Price is about as charismatic a singer as you're likely to find.  A  jazz-studies graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Price is no stranger to the stage or to singing with mad conviction.  With an impeccable vocal range and stage presence which is equal parts sultry and giddy, she is a true crowd engager.  At one point in the band's 90 minute Turner Hall set, a fan gave her a floral bouquet in a vase (something I've never seen done before at Turner Hall), which she proudly displayed behind her for the band.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

While Price is the obvious star of the show, the other members of Lake Street Dive are virtuosos at their respective instruments.  All four members of the band harmonize seamlessly with one another. Upright bass player, Bridget Kearney's jazzy licks keep the grooves tight alongside drummer Mike Calabrese's beats.  Both Kearney and Calabrese were given solos to shine at their given instruments. Calabrese's drum solo, in particular, had an 80's arena-rock epic nature to it... something you rarely see out of more modern bands these days.  In many ways, guitarist, Mike "McDuck" Olson is the anchor of the band, fluctuating between rhythm and lead guitar licks and playing trumpet on occasion.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Much of the set consisted of numbers from Bad Self Portraits and Side Pony with a smattering of covers and deep cuts well-placed as well.  "Side Pony" the title track off of this year's strong release was played with the aid of "Steve" the inflatable horse who made a cameo on stage.  "You Go Down Smooth," a hit track off of Bad Self Portraits featured Price's vocals soaring alongside Olson's trumpet.  A cover of The Kink's "Lola"involved a sing-along from the beaming crowd.  Set closer, "Call Off the Dogs," a truly amazing track off of Side Pony, literally got everyone dancing.  In a bold move, Lake Street Dive chose to cover Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" as their encore, a very difficult song to pull-off, especially with the original vocal prowess provided by Freddy Mercury.  Price, however, was undaunted and nailed the vocals sending the crowd into a frenzy to end the night.  The crowd was so revved up and joyful that after the house lights went on, they continued to dance to the house music, which was "Time of My Life" off of the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack.

I guess, Lake Street Dive just moves people of all ages move and feel good.  Go see them live- simply put, their music is good for the soul.

The BoDeans & Trapper Schoepp- Cedarburg Summer Sounds @ Cedar Creek Park,

photo by Jeni Piper

Cedarburg's annual Summer Sounds concert series has long been one of my favorite outdoor music experiences in town.  From the diverse and eclectic line-up of nationally touring acts to the great variety of food and drink vendors to the friendly staff of volunteers, it's hard not to have a good time in the gorgeous Cedar Creek Park.  This year Summer Sounds benefitted from a brand new band shell, improved sound system, and arguably their biggest booking yet-- Milwaukee's hometown 80's-90's roots rockers, The BoDeans.  The BoDeans have long been an institution in town, and are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut release Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams.  Sprecher Brewery even commissioned a special BoDeans ginger beer to honor the occasion.  

More than 10,000 fans, young and old, came to Cedar Creek Park Friday night to take in the show and soak up one of the last Friday nights of the summer, despite off-and-on rain and overcast weather.

photo by Will Piper

Opening the show for the BoDeans was Milwaukee's own Trapper Schoepp who was joined by his band, The Shades.  Schoepp is a growing artist who is developing a reputation both locally, nationally and abroad, for his energetic live shows, narrative songwriting and pure rock 'n roll sound.  At age 25, Schoepp has certainly taken in a lot of life.  His set consisted of a mix of tunes coming from his debut 2012 release Run Engine Run as well as his stellar Rangers and Valentines record, which was released earlier this year. Highlights of Schoepp's set included two songs that were written about family members.  The first was "The Ballad of Olof Johnson," a tale of a Swedish relative of Schoepp's and his journey across the land.  "Run Engine Run," is another song and story with a personal connection to Schoepp, as it's written about Schoepp's grandfather and his 1964 Mercedes Benz.  Scheopp's fun-loving nature brought him off the stage several times to play guitar and sing with the crowd, showcasing his pure love for performing and joy of rock 'n roll.

photo by Will Piper

Backed by a full-blown light show, and greeted with the thunderous roar of the Summer Sounds audience, Kurt Neumann and the BoDeans took the stage with huge smiles.  The band quickly went into one of their more classic tunes, "Fadeaway."  The BoDeans are a nostalgia act whose tunes bring back fond memories of the early 90's like a good episode of Friends.  The band played a robust set, highlighting their hits and music throughout their career.  Their energy and joy for playing together was evident, as was the outstanding percussion provided by drummer Kenny Aronoff, who in many ways was the star of the show.  A cover of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire," and sing-along tunes like "Good Things" and "Closer To Free," helped make the crowd call them back for not one, but two encores.  By the time the drizzle started to pick up around 9, the Cedar Creek Park emptied with fans smiling.  A good trip down memory lane will do that every time.

photo by Will Piper

Eaux Claires II: Return to the River Friday-Saturday August 12-14, 2016

Will, Dan, Genna, and Leo- photo by Stephen Bloch

"Music is something sacred," declared an obviously emotional Phil Cook during the start of his "Southland Review" set looking out upon a picturesque sunny summer's day of blue skies and gently rolling clouds.  "It brings us all together and in some way provides us with peace and joy."   Phil's quote encapsulates the spirit of everything that is Eaux Claires.

Eaux Claires is an experience.  It is a gathering of people who, deep down in the marrow of their bones, are moved by music.  This goes for the artists as well as the fans.  More often than you'd expect, the two groups intermingle, not in a star struck manner, but rather with deep respect for one another and their role in the greater scene.  Standing watching a performance of Chicago chamber orchestral group, Eight Blackbird early on Saturday, I nonchalantly noticed that to my right and left were Bryce and Aaron Dressner of the National respectively.  At the conclusion of the Eighth Blackbird performance, I shook Aaron's hand thanking him for putting this festival together.  He looked me right in the eye, smiled, shook my hand and said, "no, thank you for being here."  Eaux Claires is that kind of vibe-- sincere, honest... about the music.

photo by Dan Bayer

Meeting one of my personal favorite artists, Phil Cook, in of all places,  the goat roasting pit in the Chippewa VIP area, was a similarly humbling experience.  Phil's eyes widened and his goofy grin expanded as he told me how much he was looking forward to performing his "Southland Review," when I mentioned it was on the top of my "must see show list."  The joy was there for the artist and the listener- each joined together... because of the music.

While there is no tangible or tactile quality to music, believe me when I say that music is a force.  It moves us to tears and causes volcanic eruptions of joy to come up from the deepest depths of our souls.  Music absorbs sorrow and provides empathy for us in times of pain.  It challenges our ideas, forces us to re-examine viewpoints, and can confuse us to no end.  Music can embed itself into your brain and get stuck in your head in a way no other force can when you find yourself singing tunes unexpectedly and for no apparent reason while you are completing mundane tasks like taking a shower or doing the laundry.

Music unites.  It forces fathers and college-aged daughters to sneak up close to be within arm's length of Justin Vernon during Bon Iver's premier of their new record, "22, A Million."  It unites old friends making many years of not seeing one another seem like mere days, if not hours.  Music creates bonds and fosters new friendships-- providing a common backdrop for hours of conversations, shared stories, friendly debates and new memories.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

While music can't necessarily solve the world's problems, I'd predict that everyone would be a little happier if they listened to Mavis Staples for 10 minutes a day.  Her performance was one of the best of the best of Eaux Claires, and while 77 years old, her joy and love of performing music was uproariously contagious.

Eaux Claires is about love of music in all it's glory and wonder.  Like the confluence of rivers, artists at Eaux Claires joined forces, merging each others' talents regularly to create unique performances and sounds that you had to be there to hear and experience.  As Aaron Dressner stated during the "Day of the Dead" set, "This is like a band camp for everyone who loves music,."  I cannot agree more.

Music can reignite, reinvigorate, reunite, and renew.  Thank you Eaux Claires.

Friday, August 12th:

Phosphorescent: Americana goodness wrapped with a flare for the dramatic.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Bruce Hornsby performing "The Way it Is:"  Somethings will never change... Hornsby's passionate performance is one of them

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Vince Staples: The bass could be felt from across the grounds.  Boom!

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

James Blake: Electronica + soul = an intimate sound even in a large venue.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Bon Iver: "22, A Million" challenges the ear to want more.  Rearranged "Beth/Rest" with Hornsby was highlight.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Saturday, August 13th:
Mavis Staples: Her passion and love for the force of music is contagious, and at 77 years old she stole the show.  Cover of "Slippery People" by The Talking Heads was unforgettable.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Jenny Lewis: A joyous collaboration of female vocalists with The Staves, and Lucius joining in the fun

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Phil Cook's Southland Review: A boogy-woogy collaboration of gospel, soul, Americana and humility.  Goose bump inducing musical greatness featuring Justin Vernon, Bruce Hornsby, and the unforgettable Sister Lena Mae Perry of the Branchettes.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Unknown Mortal Orchestra: Turn it up and groove to the psychedelic funk 'n roll.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Day of the Dead: New life breathed into true classics in an innovative and creative way.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Lucius: Powerful vocal interplay allowed the band to take flight

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

William Tyler: Emotion oozes from the axe telling stories of modern country.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Erykah Badu: Late to the party and left early, bet you better call "Tyrone."

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats:  A full-blown, rhythm and blues explosion of joy and dancing.  I hope I may never get old!

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloc

Day of the Dead- Eaux Claires Festival- August 13, 2016

One of the most anticipated sets of the Eaux Claires festival was the "Day of the Dead" performance. Day of the Dead, the brain child of twin brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the National, is a beefy compilation of 59 tracks celebrating the music of the Grateful Dead.  The Dessner brothers invited a plethora of their musical friends to record Dead tunes, providing their own interpretation of the music.  The box set of music was released with proceeds benefiting the Red Hot Organization for AIDS research.  

With a project this large and no tour planned at this time, the Eaux Claires event was the only live performance with this eclectic ensemble.  The Dessner brothers and a few other musicians anchored a "house band," with a literal revolving door of guests coming on and off the stage, and often exchanging instruments in the process.

The result was one of the most unique sets of music I've seen with the sheer number of diverse players taking the stage at one time or another.  Below is a recap of the set with fantastic pictures thanks to Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch:

1.  "Bird Song" featuring Will Oldham (aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy).
Big vocals and a loose swagger from the band started the show on a good note, showing the crowd the "snow and rain."

2.  "Sugaree" featuring Matthew Houck of Phosphorescent and Jenny Lewis:

Fun, upbeat take on one of the more recognizable and "classic" Dead tunes.

3.  "Brown Eyed Women" featuring Phil Cook and Bruce Hornsby

A great playful take on a loose Dead jam with great vocal trade-off between Phil and Bruce.  

4. "Black Muddy River" featuring Bruce Hornsby and Justin Vernon

Soulful, powerful, and yearning.

5.  "Uncle John's Band" featuring Lucius

Fun, upbeat rendition with bright bubbly vocals.

6.  "Shakedown Street" featuring Ruben Nielsen (of Unknown Mortal Orchestra) and the Staves
A funky disco vibe brought this tune to life with soaring harmonies from The Staves

7.  "Ruben & Charise" featuring Will Oldham (aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy)
Oldham's vocals soared on this set highlight, punctuated by guitar precision from Bryce Dessner.

8.  "If I Had the World To Give" featuring Will Oldham (aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy)
Lamenting, reminiscent and powerful.

9.  "Brokedown Palace" featuring Little Scream, Richard Reed Parry, Sam Amidon, & Colin Stetson
Goosebump inducing "fare the well" harmonies from a great group of vocalists, and a blistering horn solo.  Show highlight!

10.  "Cassidy" featuring Moses Sumney and Jenny Lewis

Bob Weir's classic with new life breathed into it with Moses's powerful vocals and Jenny's harmonies.

11.  "Standing on the Moon" featuring Matthew Houck of Phosphorescent

Aaron Dessner mentioned this was Jerry Garcia's favorite ballad.  Matthew Houck made Jerry proud.

12. "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad" featuring Sam Amidon
A classic Americana infused Dead tune performed with gusto thanks to Sam Amidon and is musical talents.

13. "Morning Dew" featuring Matt Beringer of The National
Deep baritone vocals and thumping drums reinvented this Dead classic to rock your bones.

14. "And We Bid You Good Night" featuring Sam Amidon and friends
A nice collaborative piece to help wind down the show.

15. "Ripple" featuring Matt Beringer, Little Scream, Richard Reed Parry
Sing-along goodness to end the set.