paul simon + wyclef jean @ outside lands 2019

paul simon + wyclef jean @ outside lands 2019

On our way to enjoy the final headliner of Outside Lands 2019, we happened upon a rather large crowd in the middle of the polo field, by the merchant tables. For a moment, I thought the crowd had reached that far back, an hour or so before the performance, and I almost gave up on getting any closer. But then we realized it was a completely different crowd, and Wyclef Jean was singing on the Heineken stage. As the sounds of “Maria Maria” entered our ears, we danced our way over for a peek. Then, of course, we got as close as we could for the indelible Paul Simon. What a way to round out the festivities.

**photos by Andrew Hallen + Meredith Schneider

balue, suburban bliss

balue, suburban bliss

On Friday, lo-fi garage pop musician Balue is set to release his new album Suburban Bliss. We’re lucky enough to have your first listen to the release in its entirety, starting with the sound bites that intro the title track. Jam packed with leisurely tunes perfect for your next road trip, Suburban Bliss leads you on a sonic journey that both urges you to open your mind and keeps a moderate tempo that tends to keep your emotions at bay. Moments of 70’s-inspired, glittery soundscapes are nestled amongst futuristic chord progressions and reverb for miles. It’s beautiful and fun and quirky, all wrapped into one wonderful collection that will easily make the “summer to autumn” transition with you.

Get your first listen below, and keep your eyes peeled for that album release on the 23rd!

Keep up with Balue here.

ben folds @ starlight theatre

ben folds @ starlight theatre

On Friday night, Ben Folds made a spectacular appearance at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO. Our city has an affinity for this man, palpable when he sang a song about making Jason Sudeikis his “piano bitch” back in the day when he used to play The Bottleneck in Lawrence. He and his band entertained until the very last second of the sound ordinance, and what a beautiful start to the weekend it was.

Keep up with Ben Folds here.

brandi carlile + hozier @ hinterland

brandi carlile + hozier @ hinterland

Apologies if the headline of this photo set made you think we had a round 2 duet featuring Hozier and Brandi Carlile a la Bonnaroo 2019 at Hinterland Music Festival this year. Our photographers were roaming the grounds a little more and captured these two performances from the crowd, so there are a few less angles to share with you. But the lighting and the audience have truly captured the mood on this, a truly intimate experience at a very large music festival.

alex lahey @ outside lands music festival

alex lahey @ outside lands music festival

In May 2018, we got our first true chance to see Alex Lahey perform live. Not only were we enchanted by her set in the mid-day heat at Sasquatch Music Festival, but it left us wanting more. Her appearance at 2019’s Outside Lands was one for the books, as she played a pretty packed Panhandle stage early on Sunday and had us reinvigorated for the remainder of the festivities.

Keep up with Alex Lahey here.

mxtmoon portraits @ outside lands

mxtmoon portraits @ outside lands

It’s wonderful what some fresh air can do for you. We caught up with mxtmoon at Outside Lands festival for a few quick portrait shots, and found this fun little backdrop on the perimeter of the polo field. How fun to duck into some trees and feel like you’re the only ones in the field! (Aside from Mavis Staples singing and preaching to the masses in the background. What an incredible weekend!)

Keep up with mxtmoon here.

a conversation with janet labelle

a conversation with janet labelle

For our first episode of season 2, we had a chat with singer/songwriter Janet Labelle. Of course we dove into the topic of aliens, but you best believe we got deep before that. Be sure to listen through to the end for August show dates!

0:00    Intro
0:11     EZVisibility.com
0:22    Dbl-take.com
0:33    imperfectfifth.com/merch
1:05 Janet Labelle intro
2:21 Music therapy
4:16 The Beach Boys
6:43 “I Only See You”
15:33 “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”

17:57 Hannah Hailey
23:09 aliens
23:25 “The Twilight Zone
25:00 Area 51
28:50 4TH Street Recording

31:04 Avery reunion shows
Asbury Park 8/16
Jersey City 8/17
31:34 Rockwood Music Hall, 8/26

Keep up with Janet Labelle here.