screams, whispers and songs from planet earth

Tag: the Paradise Rock Club Boston MA

Malian Blues Comes to the Paradise Rock Club Saturday Night… Tinariwen.

Photo: Thomas Dorn

Photo: Thomas Dorn

Tinariwen with Atlas Soul
In Association with World Music/CRASHarts
Saturday, October 13, at the Paradise Rock Club
Doors at 8 PM | 18+ | Advance Box Office Price $20 (@ the Paradise) or ticketmaster

Tinariwen, comprised of Tuareg-Berber musicians who come from the Sahara Desert region of Northern Mali, are not your typical indie rock band. Though truth is, they are probably the ultimate indie rock band. With their roots in a war-ravaged part of the world, and the conditions and challenges they have had to overcome, they take the “DIY” concept to an extreme level. Their music alone, without the historical and biographical context, is an emotionally stirring blend of guitar rock, American blues and traditional South African folk music, with lyrics that speak of the struggles of their people and their fight for independence and freedom. However, their personal story is tightly woven into their music, which is what gives it such depth of spirit. Their heritage is what makes them who they are, and it is what guides their musical vision. You cannot separate one from the other. At a time when Mali is once again in the news, as al Qaeda fighters are taking over the country, killing innocent civilians, destroying sacred sites, and imposing Sharia Law, Tinariwen is on tour. Hopefully people will not only hear the wonderful music these gifted musicians create, but will also hear their message.

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DeVotchKa with Mariachi El Bronx @ the Paradise, Boston 3/26/11

DeVotchKa

Better late than never… (but I come bearing video)

So who says a band can’t achieve huge success on its own terms? No “formula”. No concern about demographics (unless there’s a new genre called “Eastern-European-Gypsy-Mariachi-Southwestern-Desert-Polka-Pop”). DeVotchKa is deliciously uncompromising, with a wildly unique sound and globetrotting vision. What we have here is a phenomenally gifted group of musicians doing what comes naturally, with increasingly larger audiences (such as their Paris stadium show with Muse for 90,000 last year) delighting in the exotic experience.

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Show Preview: Greg Laswell with Jimmy Gnecco (from Ours), Brian Wright @ the Paradise Rock Club ~ Thursday, May 27, 2010

Greg Laswell (photo by Joseph Llanes), Jimmy Gnecco, and Brian Wright.

Greg Laswell (photo by Joseph Llanes), Jimmy Gnecco, and Brian Wright.

Greg Laswell with Jimmy Gnecco (from Ours), Brian Wright
at the Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
Thursday, May 27, 2010 (doors at 8pm; 18+ show)

Jimmy Gnecco, the lead singer for Ours (Distorted Lullabies, 2001; Precious, 2002; and Mercy, 2008), is set to release his solo debut, The Heart, due out July 20 on Bright Antenna. Holy shit, this guy can really sing. He’s currently touring with L.A. songwriter Greg Laswell (who has a new album just out called Take A Bow), and will be at the Paradise tonight (Thursday). Also on the bill is singer-songwriter Brian Wright (Brian Wright & The Waco Tragedies), who also plays piano, mandolin, harmonica. A nice soulful, folky Americana. Three very personal and intelligent songwriters in one evening – definitely worth checking out.

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Sea Wolf and The Album Leaf @ the Paradise Rock Club ~ April 30, 2010

Alex Brown Church of Sea Wolf

Alex Brown Church of Sea Wolf

Some Mercury retrograde weirdness pushed the schedule back a bit, and bands were still sound checking as fans gathered in the Paradise front lounge. But it was well worth the wait when Sea Wolf took to the stage. And The Album Leaf were all-encompassing, quite amazing, and they even brought along a string quartet! Nice.

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Robert Francis, Lawrence Arabia, and Fanfarlo @ the Paradise ~ April 11, 2010

Robert Francis at the Paradise, Boston

Robert Francis at the Paradise, Boston

A warm, gentle breeze has been blowing in from the West, sweeping awesome L.A. artists into town like an unpredictable weather pattern blowing exotic birds in from off their usual migration path. Ok well, it’s kinda like that. It’s also the case that a growing number of the Silverlake/Echo Park area bands that I’ve regularly featured here have been (rightfully) achieving wider success and have been madly touring all over the f’ing place. Robert Francis is one of those artists; a thoughtful and personal singer-songwriter strongly steeped in folk tradition, but rocking out more since last year’s Before Nightfall. He’s been back and forth between Europe and the U.S. so much lately, it’s more likely you’ll see him in Boston – or Brussels for that matter – than in his native Los Angeles.

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Show Preview: The Album Leaf, Sea Wolf ~ the Paradise Rock Club ~ Friday, April 30, 2010

Alex Brown Church of Sea Wolf (photo by Mia Kirby); The Album Leaf

Alex Brown Church of Sea Wolf (photo by Mia Kirby); The Album Leaf

The Album Leaf, Sea Wolf at the Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
Friday, April 30 | doors at 8pm, 18+ show

For those who enjoy rich musical tapestries; some folky and warm, others dreamy and synth-driven ethereal, here’s a really nice evening for you.

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Rogue Wave and JBM at the Paradise Rock Club, Boston, March 1, 2010

Jesse Marchant of JBM and Zach Rogue of Rogue Wave

Jesse Marchant of JBM and Zach Rogue of Rogue Wave

I almost decided not to go to this, as the band I was most interested in seeing (the openers) pulled out at the last minute. But then I had a listen to JBM (Jesse Marchant) and was instantly drawn in to his intimate songwriting style and warm, inviting voice. I also liked what I heard of Rogue Wave, though I was previously unfamiliar with them. I figured “what the hell, I’ll make the drive down”. Good call.

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Show Preview: Cage The Elephant with As Tall As Lions, Morning Teleportation ~ the Paradise Rock Club ~ Friday, March 5, 2010

Cage The Elephant, As Tall As Lions, and Morning Teleportation
at the Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
Friday, March 5, 2010
(doors at 8pm, 18+ show)

Matt of Cage The Elephant gets up-close and personal in Providence last summer.

Matt of Cage The Elephant gets up-close and personal in Providence last summer.

Well ok, the show is sold out, but I just love these guys and they’re totally crazy, so I have to give them a little nod. My first time seeing them was at this uber-cool Providence Block Party last summer, and they were really fantastic.

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