Blue Scholars Wyoming Union 1/21/09

Indie hip hop duo Blue Scholars visited the University of Wyoming this week. An enthusiastic crowd greeted them in Union Ballroom.

I love any band who can walk into a room that may or may not know their work and leave the crowd sweaty and wanting more. And I really love a group that can successfully transcend traditional Wyoming values and connect where it really matters. When Geologic asked who knew soldiers who'd served in Iraq, and brought on a chant of "bring 'em home," I knew he had reached the crowd.

It was a beautiful thing to see over 100 young Wyoming Cowboys swaying their hands along with lyrics like

It’s said talk is cheap, but war is expensive
I speak cuz it’s free and these words are my weapons
Don’t think for a second I will not question US foreign policy

Of course the night was not all political. We danced, we remembered the 80s, we enthused about MIA. And for the Pacific Northwestern transplants in the crowd, any and all references to The Ave, Campus Parkway, KEXP and the 71 busline brought forth a heavy dose of nostalgia and longing for the streets of Seattle.

Happy Inauguration!

A little present for Wyoming Beat readers, in the form of a Music We Can Believe In mix... our favorites from late 2008, music to end the Bush era by.

The Kills Monolith 2008

I should have paid more attention to the music when The Kills played the secondary stage on top of Red Rocks. Instead I was mesmerized by frontwoman VV. I'm pretty sure they sounded awesome, though.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Monolith 2008

Sharon Jones came on the stage with style. Her Dap-Kings warmed up the crowd, then she strutted on to the mainstage, filling the amphitheater with presence despite being a diminutive 4'11". The backing band was tight and Sharon brought tons of personality to the party.

Avett Brothers Monolith 2008

Before arriving at Monolith, it seemed like people were coming out of the woodwork with exhortations to see the Avett Brothers. I went in with not much info, just a couple CDs borrowed from the library and trust in my friends' good taste. Turns out they were right!

The Avett Brothers brand of rocking hillbilly music hit the right spot, and their energetic stage show made the sunny boozy afternoon at Red Rocks come alive. I'll be playing their tunes for sure up in Laramie, where the indie rock fans are scarce but the whole town loves bluegrass and old timey music.

Devotchka at Monolith Festival 9-13-08

Devotchka have been on my life list of bands to see live for a long time now, so I was delighted to see them headline Monolith this year. I was not disappointed one bit in their beautifully stylized stage show and gorgeous sounds. It still startles me to realize that Devotchka is four people, rather than, say, 20. Of course they added a few more people with the Devotchka strings and horns for the home town performance, and the amphitheatre filled with their beautiful music.

And, it must be said, I have a wee girl crush on the sousaphone-ist and her beautiful t-strap shoes.

Silversun Pickups at Monolith Festival, 9-13-08

Our favorite Los Angelinos always seemed ready for a large scale stage and they proved themselves Saturday night. Filling the air with their brand of shoegaze noise coupled with blistering rock, Silversun Pickups seemed at home.