lsg spot – DMB Photo Pass – July 6 2012

lsg spot
by Lisa Sanchez Gonzalez

http://www.facebook.com/lsgoriginal
Twitter at @lsgoriginal

7.6.2012

HOT Rewind                                                                                     

DMB

DMB

Last Saturday night was one of those nights that are simply surreal.  I was the Connecticut Girl at Dave Matthews…with a photo pass.  I will admit that I am not the fanatic that some are…including my partner in crime.  I know a lot of the songs and have only been to one previous show…years ago.  I will also say that I was excited to shoot it but really had no idea what a treat the whole experience would be.  I had a nice Dave primer as we took the lovely ride to Bethel Woods, NY (fabled site of Woodstock).  Before I tell you a bit about the show, a few words about Bethel Woods.  The venue is literally out in the middle of nowhere set in the mountains of New York surrounded by farms.  The venue itself is gorgeous, well-run, and just a joy to see a show at.  My boyfriend and I dance barefoot in the lush green grass and it was heavenly.  I want to make special mention to Julie Goodman, PR Coordinator at Bethel Woods.  She does a great job in managing the press and I appreciate her hospitality.  She made the experience that much better.  Take in a show at Bethel Woods sometime.  You will be so very happy you did.  http://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/

Dave Matthews

So the show.  Lucky for me, I was with someone who knows each and every song – saves some of the newer stuff he hasn’t had time to be acquainted with yet.  Dave popped his head out for a minute pre show to come out and greet the crowd with a mug of tea and intro opener, Delta Spirit, out of Long Beach.  They were a cool band known for utilizing “alternative” instruments in their songs including trash can lids.  Nice set by them.  Awaiting Dave and the boys to take the stage, I surveyed the sold out crowd from my vantage point and it was truly a festival-like atmosphere.  And it was a family affair as well.  Lots of families which was nice to see.  I spoke with 2 children in the very front row who were 8 and 9.  I asked if it was their first show.  “No.  This is my 5^th and my brother’s 3^rd.”  DMB fans start em young!  So, house lights down, camera at the ready, out come the band to the roar of thousands.  They opened their 27-song set with “Grace is Gone” and eased into “Eh Hee” to my delight.  My expert said Grace as opener is a rarity.  Nice.  Then “If Only” and I was out of the pit with some great pix under my belt. Next up, BF received something he’s never heard live in 20 years of seeing DMB shows, “Minarets”.  From there, I managed to find him on the hill and we danced through the next 20 plus songs.  I was thrilled to have caught the teaser strains of “Typical Situation” – he said it wasn’t, I win – which they played a song or so later with full band (another a rarity I’m told).  As the show approached encore, we moved down the hill to a closer position as people started to exit (honestly, you drove all the way to this

Dave Matthews

remote place and you leave before encores???)  We got “So Much to Say” and “Grey Street” and really, couldn’t have ended happier.  Dave and the boys were right on and I’ve heard “Grace” in my head daily since then – it was so beautiful.  Thanks, Dave.  It was a snippet of pure joy I will keep in my memory filing cabinet always.  For a full set list, check it out http://www.antsmarching.org/tour/ViewShow.php?ShowID=4331

For all of my DMB pictures from Bethel, click here http://www.localbandreview.com/2012/07/lsg-original-dave-matthews-band-in-pictures/

It’s that time of year again, kids.  Time to vote for your favorite bands in the Hartford Advocate’s Grand Band Slam 2012.  And boy is it TOUGH this year to choose!!  Wow, do we have some amazing music in CT in all genres.  Please take the time to cast your vote for some of the hardest working musicians in the world.  They’re out there giving you their hearts and souls.  Show em a little love by voting.  Here’s the link…(http://ct-survey.wehaaserver.com/survey-12-grand_band_slam_2012.html)  GO!!!

Congrats go out to The Johnny Tripps Experience for being endorsed by Strings by Aurora!  That’s very cool news for them.  Rock on!!

So, it’s the holiday weekend and there is SO MUCH going on.  I have a run down below in What’s Hot but here are some of the sweet things I’ll be getting out to…

Friday night (7/6), Arch Street Tavern has The Liquid, Dog Star Blue (featuring HippoCampus guitarist, Tom McBreen), and Paperback.  You should really check out Tom’s guitar work.  Haven’t seen this band yet and really looking forward to it.

Saturday is a huge day with Sailfest in New London and Riverfest in Hartford going on.  I’ll be checking out Sailfest which features some bands I love like Daphne Lee Martin and Raise the Rent, John Fries and the Heat, and The Field Recordings.  (Sailfest is Friday thru Sunday with a whole roster of great entertainment).  For complete line up http://sailfest.org/default.asp

Saturday is also Stark Raving Lulus’ CD release party at Café 9.  Helping them out will be The Peacock Flounders and The Sawtelles.  I’ll be there.  I know the girls have some special surprises in store!!

Wherever you decide to go, just go!  Get out there and support your local music scene, Connecticut!  It’s great and you’ll be glad you did!

Support LOCAL!  And, as always…

Occupy a VENUE!!

“Spot”light on… Stark Raving Lulu

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stark-Raving-Lulu/165578520141518

I have a great interview with the lovely (and rockin!) ladies of Stark Raving Lulu that’s coming out as a separate piece tomorrow.  But while you wait, please read the excellent reviews they’ve already received from the current critic at The Hartford Courant, Nick Caito AND from previous critic (and still friend of CT Music), Eric Danton.  Cheers to you both!

http://courantblogs.com/sound-check/stark-raving-lulu-open-the-fun-o-sphere-saturday-at-cafe-nine/

http://listendammit.com/2012/07/06/stark-raving-lulu-welcome-to-the-fun-o-sphere/

HOT local video of the week…Dog Star Blue
http://www.facebook.com/dogstarblue

This amazing CT band will be playing tonight at Arch Street Tavern.  Dog Star Blue is a rock/jam/funk band from CT. Their masterful songwriting and stellar performances enliven audiences of all ages and musical tastes.

Comprised of Tom McBreen (The HippoCampus) on guitar, Joe O’Brien on bass, Justin Bytell on keyboards, and Mike Tierney on drums, Dog Star Blue’s singleness of purpose is to delight and enliven audiences everywhere, whilst compelling them to produce beautiful and electrifying compositions, and create a live dance party wherever they perform.

What’s Playing in “The Flounce”? Little Ugly
(Music in my car CD player this week!)            

Band:  Little Ugly
Album: Little Ugly
Genre:  Acoustic Rock
Contact: http://littleugly.net/
Fave Track:  Radio’s Blues

What’s HOT this week…

Friday July 6

* Dog Star Blue, Arch Street Tavern, Hartford – 5:00 pm

* Casey Gorman, The Outer Space, Hamden – 5:00 pm

* Battle for Mayhem, Toad’s Place, New Haven – 7:00 pm

* Diggin Dylan featuring Amalgamated Muck, The Kate, Old Saybrook – 8:00 pm

* The Johnny Tripps Experience, Acoustic Café, Bridgeport – 8:00 pm

* Bluegrass Hoedown, Café 9, New Haven – 8:00 pm

* Sailfest Day One, Various venues, New London – All Day and Night

Saturday July 7

* Sailfest Day Two, Various venues, New London – All Day and Night

* Crosseyed Cat, Green Line, Wolcott – 9:00 pm

* Reckless Abandon, Quality Time, Meriden – 8:00 pm

* Stark Raving Lulu CD Release, Café 9, New Haven – 9:00 pm

* 2012 Bridgeport Arts Fest, Downtown, Bridgeport – 10:00 am

* Michael Cleary Band, The Windjammer, Misquamicut – 9:30 pm

* Willy Mason with Frank Critelli, The Outer Space, Hamden – 9:00 pm

* Bad Rooster, The Red Door, Watertown – 9:30 pm

PLEASE LIKE MY FACEBOOK PAGE…WORKING HARD FOR CT LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT http://www.facebook.com/lsgoriginal – and follow my antics on Twitter at @lsgoriginal.  Web page forthcoming!

Peace…
lsg

Lisa Sanchez Gonzalez – lsg Original

Lover of music and the visual arts, Lisa Sanchez Gonzalez is the insanity behind lsg original photography. lsg specializes in artist and performer photography. She’s had the honor of photographing national bands such as Weezer, Snoop Dogg, A Simple Plan, Paramore, Whitesnake, Wye Oak, and The Antlers along with countless local bands and performers.

Hailing from Hartford, CT, Lisa is a life- long music connoisseur. Growing up, her mother exposed her to everything from The Stones to Simon and Garfunkel to Earth, Wind, and Fire to Loretta Lynn…and everything in between. No genre was left unexplored in her vinyl collection. She saw her first concert at 14…Rod Stewart at the (then called) Hartford Civic Center. Thirty years later, it’s still her favorite pastime.

Lisa has two kids (grown!) and a day job. Her loves of music and photography have melded into a second career. And her love of CT keeps her promoting and pushing for local artists and performers. Lisa spends the greater part of her free time seeing and shooting live bands, performers, and artists and art work…and purchasing vinyl!

Scene Queen lsg on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scenequeenlsg

lsg Original Photography on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lsgoriginal

Lisa on LBR: http://www.localbandreview.com/author/lsg/

OCCUPY A VENUE!