The namesake of the band, Kacy and Clayton, first took the stage with only a guitar and some microphones. The first few acoustic songs reminded me of a slightly-less folky version of the now-extinct Civil Wars. Kacy’s riff-filled melodies were paired beautifully with Clayton’s harmony and rhythm guitar.

Their style was very relaxed and informal, which was good for the music, though less good for their interactions with the audience between songs. Clayton asked the audience for a sewing kit for his new shirt, which already had a couple buttons pop off–unfortunately for the shirt, the audience was complete crickets.

Luckily, the band was unfazed by the lack of energy, and pulled two more band members up to the stage. The drummer and bassist were middle-aged, cool guys with beards and berets. I don’t remember the bassist’s name, but thanks to Clayton’s introduction I do remember that he hasn’t had a single cavity in his life. This goofy fact helped the audience engage slightly more, and the full band put on a lively set.

I’m not an avid fan of country, but I could definitely respect both bands’ talent. Plus, there’s just something about live music that’s always enjoyable.

Next, a man with a guitar and a harmonica took the stage–lead man of Blitzen Trapper, Eric Earley. He informed the crowd that this show would have a lot of story-telling, which he said “scares the **** out of [him] ‘cuz [he] doesn’t like talking.” I’m glad the show was more intimate, because it allowed me to really engage with each song.

I especially liked the songs “Furr” and “Across the River.” Almost all of the audience members sang along to Furr, which happens to be one of the band’s oldest and most successful songs. I really connected to the story for Across the River. Earley told a story from his high school days, when his friend Kyle’s dog jumped in a river. Despite the current, the boys jumped in after the pup. Soon enough, Kyle and his dog were back on shore while Earley was swiftly moving downstream. Thankfully, he didn’t die and wrote a sweet, nostalgic song instead.

Halfway through the set, the show had an abrupt stop by request of The Mill. A man fell off a bar stool and lost consciousness, so an ambulance had to be called. The band took the time as a smoke break and didn’t let it affect the energy of the show in any way.

After the band was back in their place, the rest of the show was a really diverse mix of Blitzen Trapper songs and covers. Each song seemed to be extremely nostalgic to the band and a majority of the audience. It was cool to witness people getting so into the music, but as a 20-year old I didn’t quite connect to the show in the same way.

I probably won’t listen to Blitzen Trapper often, but I’m definitely glad I had the opportunity to see them live. Plus I bonded with the keyboardist over our curly locks, so that was cool.

The post Concert Review: Blitzen Trapper @ The Mill 9/20/16 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

As Austin and I received our cheese fries (which were really more like clods of warm, solid cheese adhered to the top layer of fries) the first band stormed the stage: Ramona Falls. In a not-so-wacky turn of events, the Art Garfunkel looking dude revealed himself to be the band’s pneumatic drummer and the auspicious leader of the four-piece ensemble.

Booming drums, rhythmic guitar, steady deep bass, thoughtful use of both the piano and synth, and a vivacious violin were signatures of the band’s 45 minute set.  They weaved together some of the most cohesive live music I have ever heard. Each musician’s playing complimented the others’ in a perfect way, both actively and subtly at times, enhancing the performance. Honestly, for most of the show I could have imagined Ramona Falls being some indie-rock band from Westeros (the land in Game of Thrones). The music was rich and epic in scale, a fusion between acoustic and electric that culminated in a remarkably interlaced and beautifully harmonized tale. One could easily imagine their set played to dramatic events unfolding at the edge of a sword. I was pleasantly surprised by the magnetic performance this band achieved, and I strongly suggest those of you reading this to check them out.

After a brief intermission, the second band and headliner of the show, took front and center. Two very unsuspecting looking guys stood before us; if I had seen the duo drinking coffee at Starbucks I really wouldn’t have guessed that they comprised a two-piece dream-pop band. As they started playing their glimmering, reverb-laden set, the awkward show dancing began in front of the stage. (You know what I mean).

Stoking the harmonized fire that Ramona Falls had set ablaze, Helio Sequence astounded me with their lush, poppy lyrics played in tune with snappy cymbal, heavy percussion, poppy synth, and plucky strings. You could almost feel an immediate shift in atmosphere as their music overwhelmed the venue. The lights seemingly became softer and yet richer with their yellow and blue hues illuminating the stage. What resulted was a dream-like show, the likes of which I’d never experienced. Each song melted into the next, the reverb parsing through dimensions, echoing through our minds.

This continued throughout the show, except for when the artists broke for small conversations with the gathering crowd.

One song, aptly named “The Harmonica Song,” stuck out in the best possible way. In the midst of their floating, mesmerizing set, the blasting juxtaposition of harmonica threw me into a shock. I was subsequently soothed by familiar (yet distinct and crooning) vocals, only to be set back on edge by ever louder and faster harmonic shredding.

Helio Sequence is one of the rare bands which, instead of using reverb to mask an inability to vocalize, use it instead as an atmospheric-enhancement to their stunning live vocals. This was definitely a show I won’t forget. I would also suggest that anyone who enjoys the poppy dreaminess of The Shins (a la Wincing the Night Away) should check out Helio Sequence’s latest album, Negotiations.

The post Show Review: The Helio Sequence, Ramona Falls @ The Mill — 11/7/12 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Originally from Muscatine, Iowa, Strause has created his own original combination of blues, folk, and bluegrass. Similar to the stylings of Amos Lee and Brett Dennen, Brooks Strause usually plays with his band, Brooks Strause and the Gory Details. But on Friday, Strause kept the audience entertained simply with his voice, his acoustic guitar, and his harmonica.

Strause played a number of songs, including “The Wrong Reasons” from his forthcoming effort, Acid Casual. This upcoming album will be his fifth CD. Strause also performed “Strange City,” a song specifically about Iowa City. Although it was written for the Iowa City Song Project, Strause highlighted the fact that he has lived in Iowa City for the past three years and has always loved the great people, great ideas, and the arts that the town has to offer.

The post Brooks Strause on IPR’s “Java Blend” – 10/12/12 appeared first on KRUI Radio.