ggoolldd @ vaudeville mews
GGOOLLDD performed on June 14 at Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines. The Milwaukee electro-pop five-piece put on a aurally and visually mesmerizing show. Check them out here.
meg myers + other americans @ the riot room
On Monday, June 11th – on one of the most miserably hot days of the year so far – we headed out to The Riot Room in Kansas City to pack ourselves from wall to wall like sardines and enjoy the musical stylings of Meg Myers. She admitted while on stage that it was one of her first live performances in years, and the KC crowd was pleased to have been blessed with that honor. From the very first notes of “Done”, through “Sorry”, new single “Take Me to the Disco”, “Monster”, “Make a Shadow”, and more all the way through the last notes of “Numb”, she incited an energy in her fans that is rare to find elsewhere.
Wearing mauve high waisted pants, a black crop top, and two tiny buns on the top of her head, Myers seemed to cool the room off with her robust, long-ranging vocals and the intense heart she puts into every single line she sings. Although personal favorites included “Make a Shadow” and “I’m Not Sorry”, her widest known track – “Desire” – was a riot to witness live, as the entire room was privy to every word.
The crowd that gathered was interesting as well, with no particular demographic in mind. It seems her heart and her talent is wide-reaching, touching young hearts all the way to the Jimmy Buffet-looking crowd. (You understand everything about this, don’t lie.) Her set was a reminder of the pure passion involved in the music listening experience.
Meg Myers’ cohorts on this magical night? None other than Kansas City’s Other Americans. We got what photos we could of the sold out show, between heads and as close as we could get to the madness!
**Words by Kevin Bernardi + Meredith Schneider
mallrat, in the sky
Mallrat’s new EP, In the Sky, is electrifying and emotional in every way. She seems to take a piece of you and a piece of herself, giving the songs a personal yet nostalgic tone with sweet pop melodies. She also incorporates the beauty of nature in many ways, whether it be in the cover art, the accompanying videos on Spotify, or in the album title itself. It’s clear that she is inspired by everything around her, which is clearly shown in each song.
The EP opens with the cool simplicity of “Groceries.” It has a steady, bouncing beat and acoustic guitar that gives it an upbeat vibe. But the lyrics are surprisingly deep: “I just want to get groceries” shows emotional depth about what you want in a relationship. “Texas” starts off as a ballad with pretty harmonies, but as the song goes on, it becomes a track that makes you want to dance around your room. “Better” is an upbeat song with painfully honest lyrics. Her voice croons about young optimism: “Everyone’s alive so everything’s alright.” At the same time, she reminds us of how fleeting everything is when you’re young and growing up: “Maybe when the summer ends / I’ll drift away from all my friends.” This song was a personal favorite, and it really shows how personal her lyrics can be. UFO sounds like a summer Top 40 hit with its electro-pop vibe and a rap verse from fellow Australian artist Allday. The EP ends with “Make Time,” which is more subdued than the rest. it allows you to daydream and think about someone you miss.
Mallrat’s cool, unique sound is taking over the world. Not only does she sing and write her own songs, but she co-produced every song on this EP. At only 19 years old, she is a powerhouse of talent and passion.
Keep up with the latest on Mallrat here.
sylvan esso @ bonnaroo 2018
What better way to enjoy the sunset than from the THAT Tent at Bonnaroo with Sylvan Esso? (Answer: There’s no better way.) The musicianship brought an energy to welcome the night, and we couldn’t have been put under a more vivid trance.
Keep up with Sylvan Esso here.
sir sly @ bonnaroo 2018
The amount of times we have seen Sir Sly is pretty impressive, and we have yet to be bored by a single set of theirs. Perhaps this time – at Bonnaroo 2018 – Landon’s openness with the audience is what made us connect. Regardless, the band revived the crowd after a massive thunderstorm hit the campgrounds earlier in the day. We got a few closeups.
Keep up with Sir Sly here.
moon taxi @ bonnaroo 2018
Moon Taxi played as the sun began to slowly set on the last day at The Farm for Bonnaroo 2018. The crowd was revved up for the final few acts, and it showed in the photos we captured.
Keep up with Moon Taxi here.