Now, we all know that there’s more than one way to enjoy a show and that we don’t always need our eyes to help us write concert reviews, right?
Popmatters Review: Dam-Funk's Rhythm Trax Vol. 4
May 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I’d like to share with you this Popmatters review I wrote for Los Angeles electro-funk beatman Dam-funk and his latest Stones Throw release Rhythm Trax Vol. 4. Dam-funk is known for laying down some seriously trippy boogie funk for his live shows. And if they’re anything like this album I hope to catch him the next time [...]
Live Fix Unlist: Best Concerts of 2008
January 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I’ve said what I thought about how others picked their favorite concerts of 2008, so now it’s time to give you my picks…and why. What makes a show “the best”? I often wonder this because there’s a lot to consider when creating a list of the best concerts, or shall I say best concert “experiences” [...]
What I Learned: A Smashing Pumpkins Assessment
January 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
This Popmatters Smashing Pumpkins review brought my 2008 concert reviewing to a dramatic close. And it was by far the most drawn out concert experience of the year. But still, I managed to come away with more than I thought I would. It started when I questioned the mental landscape of The Great Pumpkin and [...]
Best Concert Photos of 2008: Q & A with Photographer Colleen Catania
January 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment
One of the hardest things about covering live music is picking the photos. Sure it’s labor intensive going through photos, but it’s also difficult because you’re forced to pick 2-3 pictures to sum up the entire visual significances of a live show. We started the year covering bluegrass quintet Uncle Earl at Schubas and ended [...]
What Do You Hate About Music Critics?
December 5, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Go ahead. Tell me. I can handle it… just as long as I don’t end up like music journalist Don Rosenberg. Though, I’ve never been “removed” from a beat like Cleveland Plain Dealer music critic Don Rosenberg who was removed from his Cleveland Orchestra beat in September, I have been the recipient of harsh criticism [...]
Two Thundering Reviews: Jessica Simpson
July 30, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Are there always two sides to every story? And can we all view an artist performance differently? When I read this story about Jessica Simpson’s courageous set at Country Thunder in Wisconsin, I thought back to how an artist’s performance can be taken and conveyed in several ways—depending on several factors—by the fans and especially [...]
Festival Riffin' You Should Read
July 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Pitchfork Says TechNo!, DJs Chime In
July 23, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Hi there, I would like to share an article with you. I was intrigued and encouraged by several of the responses received by Pitchfork writer Philip Sherburne who for his This Month In: Techno article inquired of 100+ DJs/Producers about the current state of dance music. I bring it up here at Live Exhaust because [...]
Live Music Experiment #1: What is the Most Important Sense?
July 1, 2008 By 1 Comment
Live Music Experiment #1: What Is The Most Important Sense? It’s begun! I’m pleased to announce the first phase questionnaire that will begin a series of experiments examining the role and importance of the five senses at a live show. After having several conversations with friends about what they think is the most important sense [...]
