by Meredith Schneider | Jun 21, 2018 | snapshot, visual
June 15th and 16th, 2018 marked the fifth annual Boulevardia Beer, Music, and Food Festival. Though it always feels like it falls on the hottest days of the year – it is consistently held on Father’s Day weekend in a an old but picturesque area that is basically all blacktop concrete – Boulevardia is a consistent adventure for midwesterners and travelers alike. This year featured forty bands across three stages, old and new taps alike, food selections from all over the metropolitan area, and additional installations like a wider variety of vendors and the fest’s very on outdoor Silent Disco.
This year, Saturday’s headliner was Bleachers. So of course we ran into the pit to get a few action shots for you!
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 20, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Austin Ward has already begun to make a name for himself with his signature sultry vocals and laid back atmosphere to his music. The brand new music video for his single “2 of Us” drops today, and we’ve got one of your first looks at the masterpiece, which is shot beautifully and follows him around while he interacts with a love interest. The video itself, directed by Elliot Wolf with creative direction by Wolf and Ward himself, seems to take place over a short period of time, acknowledging the back and forth of a relationship along the way, and incorporating mesmerizing dance and live performance tactics by both Ward and his female cohort, Mani Krishna (choreographed by Emily Duncan).
The video is soulful, and one you won’t soon forget.
Phenome is out June 29th. Keep up with Austin here.
by Karina Marquez | Jun 20, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
English trio Muncie Girls are cooler than ever in their new video for “Picture of Health,” the lead single from their second album Fixed Ideals, which is set to come out on August 31. Lead vocalist/guitarist Lande Hekt, along with guitarist Dean McMullen and drummer Luke Ellis, create an anthem for friendship with a sound that is reminiscent of the early days of Paramore and 90s pop-punk. The video captures the song’s theme in a real and organic way, right down to the silver fidget spinner. This is a modern-day representation of what it’s like to maintain a friendship and how we tend to get in our own heads, worrying about problems that don’t even exist. “Picture of Health” is a song that everyone can relate to, with a poignant video that emphasizes the importance of platonic love that is very refreshing to see.
Keep up with the band here, and don’t forget to preorder their upcoming album.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Broken Social Scene has inspired an array of artists who are living out their own moments to shine now. How wonderful an experience to witness their live performance tactics at Bonnaroo 2018! (Plus: Check out the reflection of the growing audience in some of those sunglasses photos!)
Keep up with Broken Social Scene here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
St. Paul & The Broken Bones brought their unique brand of magic to the stage at Bonnaroo 2018. Having never seen them – but having heard the buzz around them for quite some time – we were floored by their set. Here are some photos.
Keep up with the band here.
by Aubrey Hanson | Jun 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Following some of their other tracks such as “Tidal Wave” and “Sunflower Lady”, up and coming band Tempesst recently released their new single “A Little Bit Of Trouble” which connects alternative and indie genres along with a little mix of old-time, traditional folk music that sets up the perfect mix of genres so anyone can enjoy their unique style of music. “A Little Bit Of Trouble” is the perfect song to listen to if you are cruising through the countryside during the summer, or just looking for a good time. Tempesst uses their distinctive sound and music style to create a somewhat relaxing yet exhilarating song that will make you want to go on a summer adventure, and maybe even cause a little trouble yourself.
Make sure to stay up to date on Tempesst if you are ever in need of some good summer vibes.
by ImperfectFifth | Jun 19, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On June 11th, the illustrious Middle Kids took the stage at recordBar in Kansas City to a packed room of fans. Photographer Ashleigh Lee got into the grit to nab some photos for us of the fun Australian trio.
**photos by ashleigh lee
by Janilisse Wahlstrom | Jun 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Shaman Elect just released their 13-track debut album,
Mind The Ether. The Brooklyn-based alt-electro-psych-rock collective has some smooth feel on “Woman in Black”, very expressive about specific feelings. The band has the electric guitar in gear, striking a cord with listeners quite literally as the lyrics take hold. My personal favorite, “Ships Ahoy”, has a quick beat to it, and expresses the thoughts of a woman waiting for her love. The cool vibes with a rock feel make it worth listening to again and again.
Check out Shaman Elect on soundcloud where you can find 4 released singles, all of which have caught the attention of music seekers all around the world. Their rich rhythms and inspired performances lead the listeners to enjoy and experience a release through music.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Erin P.S. Zimmerman | Jun 18, 2018 | show review, snapshot, visual
For those of you who are not yet privy to the rising music scene in Kansas City, now is the time to do your research. Boulevardia – the midwest beer and music fest that started to call Kemper Arena and the West Bottoms home five years ago – has exploded into a much bigger event, drawing crowds from all over the United States to tap brand new and limited run beers, check out bands in both rustic venues and in front of a very spacey-looking building (Kemper Arena, about to become HyVee Arena), and to ride a ferris wheel in an undoubtedly urban and growing area. This year featured forty bands – including, but certainly not limited to Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Radkey, Manchester Orchestra, Sir Sly, Guster, Bleachers, and Kansas City’s own Tech N9ne -, craftspeople and artists from around the metropolitan area, and a silent disco experience. (The best part about that? It was outside, instead of in a tent, so looky-lous could stop and watch for a bit if life called for it.)
2018 featured an array of additional rides – you know, besides that vibrant, beautiful ferris wheel – and a Royals outfield experience. And even though this event seems to happen on the hottest and muggiest weekend of the year every single year, we were too busy watching numerous parades of contortionists and acrobats and clowns and people full of PRIDE and enjoying the midwest’s best in beers that we almost didn’t even notice it.
But that’s the magic of Boulevardia. Enjoy these Day 1 photos, and check back in to see some highlights from Day 2 as well!
