by James Schneider | Dec 19, 2018 | show review
I stumbled upon Larkin Poe in late 2016. I was on a YouTube music spree, as one will occasionally do, and they happened to pop up in my “Up Next” column. It was a Jam in the Van video of the song Jailbreak. The video had been posted in 2014 so it was roughly 2 and half years old by the time I found it. The song had a good pop to it and both Rebecca and Meghan had a good energy for the song. After the video ended, I began to dig into more of their stuff, Don’t, Sugar High, Stubborn Love and Trouble in Mind. Every song I listened to was solid, but the studio recordings lacked that something that separates music you throw on in the back ground from music you throw on to really listen to.
Flash forward to the Garage at Knuckleheads Saloon on a Monday night. I was unsure of the following that Larkin Poe would have, especially with it being a Monday night, in December, in Kansas City Missouri. We got to the venue 20 minutes before the opener was scheduled. I assumed this would be plenty of time to grab a seat, grab a drink and talk before the show started. What’s that they say about assumptions? The venue was packed. We were fortunate enough to find a couple lonesome bar stools in the corner. Other than those, it was standing room only.
It’s important to point out the composition of the crowd for this event. There were plenty of adults in attendance and the usual crowd that seems to attend Knuckleheads religiously, regardless of what type of artist or music it being played. The best part about the crowd for me were the parents that brought their kids with them. Live music is an important thing to support and it’s even better when the band is on fire like Larkin Poe was that night.
When Larkin Poe took the stage, I immediately understood why the place had sold out. The energy they brought with them left the crowd with one option, buckle up and enjoy the ride. Their opening song “Summertime Sunset” brought the house down and it only got better from there. Meghan’s slide guitar outro for Look Away was a good for lesson for any guitar player in patience, tone and control. Rebecca’s vocals have gotten stronger and more confident since I first heard her, and the entire concert was a showcase for that talent.
The show was refreshing and genuine and as a soon to be father of a daughter, it was awesome to see two sisters absolutely dominating the stage. I cannot wait for them to come back around or anywhere close, I will be dragging my friends and most likely a certain family member, you know who you are, to see them again.
Keep up with Larkin Poe here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 18, 2018 | albums, review
Chicago-based art rock trio Arthhur – comprised of Mike Fox, Matt Cian, and Luke Dahlgren – released their fourth record on December 14th, and we’re really digging it. The 6 track tape is titled Lost In The Walled City, and is packed to the brim with attitude and a certain, unexplainable je ne sais quoi, if you will.
The title track hits hard, revving us up for the disco-laden rhythm of “Kinky Post-It”. (Yes, that’s the name of a song.) “Astral Fortnight” speaks to our higher beings, upbeat and ready to party, while “Choc Electronique” is something we would totally enter a dance contest with, as it would seem a little out of left field though the instrumentals are insanely catchy and could inspire a new line dance, if we’re being honest.
“Large Party” kicks it off with a series of sound effects and continues in the same artsy, experimental way, something we would definitely mosh to at a live show. Arthhur rounds it all out with “Get Fermented!” which is a track we’re into just from the mention of the title. Its smooth, enticing soundscape lures you in to a night of – if you’re lucky – consequence-free bad decision-making.
Keep up with Arthhur here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 14, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On November 28th, Good Charlotte took over Arvest Bank Theater at The Midland in Kansas City, MO for a high-energy performance riddled with nostalgia. Frontman Joel Madden spent the evening poking fun at some of their highlight moments over the years, and asking fans where they were when certain songs came out. As memories of everyone’s adolescence came flooding back, the room was full to the brim with positive vibes. Photographer Meredith Schneider nabbed some highlights for us, which can be seen below.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 12, 2018 | snapshot, visual
The Moth and The Flame entertained the masses at 96.5 The Buzz’s annual The Night The Buzz Stole Xmas event at the Midland in Kansas City on December 4th. We nabbed some photos so you can feel like you were a part of the festivities too!
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 12, 2018 | albums, review
Folk pop duo Fox and Bones – comprised of Sarah Vitort and Scott Gilmore – lays the groundwork for a fun, adventure-filled album from the very first lines of Better Land‘s initial track “Little Animal”, which boasts the feeling of a mid-album track, tempo having already had time to build. But this duo hits the ground running with every track, establishing its energy and diction separately than its predecessor. While “Love Me Like a River” brings the album into a deeper soundscape, “Roots” has a soulful anthem feel to it. “Roads” slows everything down exponentially, poetic in that fact, as they focus on the little details of spending life on the road.
“Reckless” sets a very different tone than “Tricky Love”, which happens to be one of our favorite tracks on this collection. The title track brings the tempo back up, definitely a staple on the album. “Strange” takes on ballad form, while “Pin Up” brings more twang to its instrumentals, setting a simple, beautiful tone to it. “Any of it With You” brings the positivity back in, establishing a sense of energy to work hard with what time you have left. Eleventh and final track “Welcome Home” is a head bobber, absolutely your next staple on long road trips as you search “for that spark.”
Test the new album out for yourself below!
Keep up with Fox and Bones here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 11, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Having been flummoxed by the talent of Chvrches for years now, it was our incredible pleasure to head out to see them headline The Night The Buzz Stole Xmas this year in Kansas City. Those gorgeous, lightweight vocals, that insane energy that could give anyone life… the night was absolute perfection. Photographer Meredith Schneider shares her point of view below.
P.S. You’ll notice even in the imperfections, there are rainbows everywhere. We cannot tout this live show enough.
