What most people (sadly) don’t know is that another, similarly diverse city has been producing local independent music for nearly a decade in the most unlikeliest of places: Provo, Utah.

Provo’s unique creative atmosphere and expansive independent music network has birthed a number of high quality indie artists and bands, including Joshua James, Neon Trees, Fictionist, and most recently Parlor Hawk. These are some big names within the indie/local music community. Most of these bands have been at or near the top of iTunes’ download charts in last few months, and there is no sign of them letting up.

(Check out Neon Trees!)

There are a few things that Provo has that most cities don’t. First, the indie music community has a very strong hub, a high-quality venue called Velour Live Music Gallery, as well as a few other, smaller local venues. And it’s unique location in Utah allows it to disperse new creative indie rock to a very large audience.

Velour is designed like a vintage Baroque Indie Rock chapel, yet it is clear from the way Corey Fox, the owner, runs things that Velour is there to support the bands. Only the best bands are selected to play weekend shows, but up-and-coming bands are encouraged to play at the weekly acoustic nights and semi-annual and highly competitive Battle of the Bands concerts. It’s an incubator for indie rock and creative music.

Because Utah is a haven for Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), many come from all over the United States (and to a smaller extent, the rest of the world) to visit Utah. Then they take the new music they’ve found in Provo back home.

Double the effectiveness of this principle for the two college campuses (BYU and UVU) located in Provo. Indie rock attracts college students like ants to a spilled can of Classic Coke. The Indie Rock then steeps into the collective college soul throughout the semester. And the students become musical carriers when they return to their out-of-state hometowns for vacations.

This dissemination of new music has created Provo’s vast independent music network, while the local community generates lots of potential bands and different types of music.

Keep an eye out for any bands coming out of Provo. Odds are that they’ll go far.

A small quite town known as Manchester becomes one of the largest and definitely the loudest cities in Tennessee for a few days each summer.  Bonnaroo is a unique experience, and attract music lovers from all over the world.  This four day music festival is held on a farm and everyone just camps out/ or passes out on its vast fields.  Because it is on private land the police can’t come on so the rules of society change somewhat.

At Bonnaroo instead of ice cream and popcorn venders you’ve got your weed and shroom venders.  Its quite shocking the first time you hear someone walking by saying “get your acid!”  For some people clothing is replaced by paint, I would advise blinders or a barf bag.

If you can handle some of the odder things it really is the most incredible music experience.  I was fortunate enough to go in 2006 and see some incredible performances from the likes of Andrew Bird, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Beck, Devandra Bandhart, My Morning Jacket and many many more.  My last night there I saw the best show of my life, Radiohead, they were perfect and it was fun seeing little Tom prancing around.

Bonnaroo started out as a small and all Jam camp out, and  has expanded to 80,000 people with several stages and attractions.  The music genres have also expanded and Jay-Z is even showing up this year, which I find a little disappointing.

Even though the festival has sold out a little bit commercially, this has allowed them to draw more exciting artists.  Check out some of the bigger names in the 2010 line up below.

Dave Mathews Band

Kings of Leon

Stevie Wonder

Jay-Z

Tenacious D

Weezer

Damian Marley and Nas

Norah Jones

Michael Franti and Spearhead

Regina Spektor

Ween

LCD Soundsystem

The Avett Brothers

Rise Against

The Black Keys

Dropkick Murphys

She & Him

Against Me!

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

They Might Be Giants

Blues Traveler

Calexico

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Last summer a buddy and I went to the 50th annual Newport Folk Festival and it turned out to be one of the better shows/festivals that I have ever had the blessing of attending.  I was living just outside of Manhattan and my pal came up from Alabama and we made the 3ish hour drive to Newport, RI.

The bridge that we crossed on our way in gave one of the most scenic views I have ever had, blue skies, sailboats, seagulls fluttering next to you.  I had one of those moments you know when everything just seems perfect at least in that moment, no past or future just bliss.  The town itself is really nice cobble roads and cute shops etc. etc.

We decided to park our car early and walk because the traffic was so bad and we got scammed by a grandpa were we parked (but we got him back).  We ended up hitchhiking up to the fort where the festival was.

There were two stages and as always there were conflicts because I wanted to see bands on both stages at the same time.  We saw Gillian Welch, then Fleet Foxes followed by the Decemberists and it came to an end with Pete Seeger.  All of them were wonderful especially Fleet Foxes who I had been dying to see, they were perfect.

Pete Seeger was the star by far.  He is quite an old man though, he was the original musician/political activist even before Bob Dylan.  He is all about getting the crowd to sing along, he made songs like This Little Light of Mine and This My Land famous.

For his encore he had all the musicians from that day come on stage and play and sing with him, turns out that some of the people we met hitchhiking were on stage with old man Seeger, I guess they preformed. Kind of a special moment being with a group of a couple thousand 15 – 80 year-olds at an old civil war naval base on an island singing This Little Light of Mine together, sunset, sailboats and all.

The new line up for 2010 has been posted and I hope to make it, especially because I have to see to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

I really like how the Newport Folk Festival has mixed old traditional folk music with upcoming folk indie. The line up looks incredible, see yall there.

Friday, July 30 (International Tennis Hall of Fame)
-Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
-Tim O’Brien
-Sarah Jarosz

Saturday, July 31 (Fort Adams State Park)
-John Prine
-Andrew Bird
-Brandi Carlile
-The Low Anthem
-Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket
-Doc Watson & David Holt
-Calexico
-Dawes
-Nneka
-O’Death
-Liz Longley
-Blitzen Trapper
-A.A. Bondy
-Sam Bush
-Horsefeathers

Sunday, Aug. 1 (Fort Adams State Park)
-Levon Helm’s Ramble on the Road
-The Swell Season
-The Avett Brothers
-Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
-Richie Havens
-Justin Townes Earle
-Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
-The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
-Punch Brothers with Chris Thile
-The Felice Brothers
-Tao Seeger Band
-Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons
-Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore
-Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three

This year will mark the 24th annual Music and Media conference. This event has grown in years to become a MUST attend show for any and all networking in the music world. If you are in a band that is wanting to get big, if you are a booking agent looking for gigs, if you are a manager or a record label company and looking to sign on new musicians, the SXSW is where you need to be. And if you aren’t there and I just described you, get on a plane asap.

This years SXSW event will be showcasing nearly 2,000 bands/musicians from around the world. Each day will be filled with musical acts performed throughout roughly 80 stages in downtown Austin, TX.

During the day managers, promoters, press, record labels, artists, booking agents, etc. gather for business. For some this is a first-look at the future musicians.

This has got to be one of the most thrilling events of the year. I have got to admit that I am extremely jealous of my friends who are able to be there and I wish I could be there. So if you go, tell me how it is.

Check out the highlight of the festivities: http://sxsw.com/

The journey began when Erika and Annie met on a train while traveling from Vermont to New York. After getting to know each other they discovered that they both had a common interest in beginning an all-keyboard band.

On their return to New York they began playing together and Heather D’Angelo soon joined in on the hot new indie sound that they were producing. Another member, Sung Bin Park, joined the band but left soon after allowing the three remaining members to start again as a trio. They started playing concerts in New York and quickly picked up speed in popularity.

The music of Au Revoir Simone is primarily up-beat and fun in it’s tempo. In a NME (New Musical Express) article, the magazine went on to say that “Au Revoir Simone must have beamed in from a land where lace clouds breeze over crystal lakes and icicles grow from the warm earth. This New York three-piece’s glorious synth-lead alt-folk will leave you crying on the stairs in the middle of the night.”

Au Revoir Simone released their debut album “The Bird of Music” though Moshi Moshi Records in the UK in 2007. And their latest work is the new “Still Night, Still Light” album released on May 19, 2009. Au Revoir Simone is currently touring the world and is planning on making a local stop on their concert tour.

Local Au Revoir Simone Concert This Summer
Friday, June 19: Salt Lake City
Kilby Court

In celebration of this famous groundhog, underground instrumental band, The Opposite of a Train, is holding a benefit concert tonight! They are hoping to raise money for the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in Charleston, South Carolina. The concert will be held tonight in the Memminger Auditorium at 8pm.

The Opposite of a Train, has a unique sound.  I just listened to them for the first time today and find them quite enticing.  Obviously their music has no lyrics,but it has a very interesting jazz, Cuban, rock sound to it. It seems that what makes this band worth while, is the fact that they are playing really unique and fascinating instruments. Their music takes you into a new way of thinking.

The band is composed of three members: Bill Carson on guitar and tenor banjo, Nathan Koci on accordion, brass and keyboards, and Ron Wiltrout on marimba, drums, and crash cymbols.

If you are interested, check them out on their myspace to hear their unique sound yourself and then let me know what you think. I am curious of the feedback.

And get a chance to watch Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day, just to celebrate and to hibernate.

The song was in 3D and many celebrities, such as Beyonce were seen wearing glasses and you could have been too if you happened to have some glasses with you at home.

At the conclusion of the song, all the performers turned to look at the many pictures of Michael Jackson. It was a great tribute.

Lastly, Michael Jackson’s children, Prince Michael and Paris accepted their father’s lifetime achievement award.It was weird seeing the children so soon after their father’s passing, however they made a great speech, saying, “Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity,” and continued with, “Throughout his songs, his message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you. We love you, Daddy.”

Seeing as tonight I also just saw, Michael Jackson’s documentary video, “This Is It” tonight, I thought this was a fabulous night! Michael Jackson has such great talent and I thought it was great to tribute him at the Grammys. Rest in peace MJ!

I hope you check out the new “This Is It” album on itunes. I LOVE the song, This is it.

Friday, January 22, 2010 many well -known celebrities and musicians helped out with Hope For Haiti Now, a global benefit concert for earthquake relief.  This telethon took place in in 3 cities: Los Angeles, New York, and London.

George Clooney organized this concert with MTV to help earn more relief for Haiti, which has already lost roughly 200, 000 people.

During the benefit concert, celebrities and musicians answered phones and performed music to get people to call in and donate money to the hope for Haiti Now earthquake relief.

Coldplay, Beyonce, as well as a joint efforts with Bono, Jay-Z, Rhianna, and the Edge, performed in London.  The latter four musicians performed together a new song, “Stranded– Haiti mon Amour.”   Their collaboration turned out to be successful, giving the world a catchy song and Haiti relief money.  Check out  their song below!

In New York, Haitian-born, Wycleaf Jean hosted and sang.  With him Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Shakira, and Sting performed.

And in LA, George Clooney took charge and was joined by musicians: Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, and Kid Rock.

I have to say Clooney actually did a great job getting great artists to join together in a great cause. I wish I could have personally been at the benefit concert, but then again I wouldn’t know which one I would have wanted to be at!!

Good news: you can purchase the songs from the concert on itunes and all the proceeds will go the earthquake relief in Haiti.

If you want to help Haiti out and missed the Hope For Haiti Now benefit concert, you still can.  Just visit Hope For Haiti Now to donate.

During 2010 January through April, every Monday night at 9 pm Muse Music Cafe will be showing free Rock documentaries. The first Rockumentary video started three weeks ago with a documentary on Arcade Fire’s 2007 album, “Neon Bible.”

If you want to start the night even earlier, Muse will be holding a free open-mic night at 7 pm before each Monday movie night. And don’t forget, Muse has a cafe!

Get the 2010 Rockumentary schedule below:

1/25: Hype! (Seattle Music Scene)
2/1: Heima (Sigur Ros)
2/8: Genghis Blues (throat singing in Mongolia)
2/15: Meeting People is Easy (Radiohead)
2/22: Directions (Death Cab For Cutie)
3/1: Anvil: The Story of Anvil
3/8: It Might Get Loud (Jack White/Jimmy Page/The Edge)
3/15: DiG! (The Dandy Warhols/Brian Jonestown Massacre)
3/22: Spend An Evening With Saddle Creek
3/29: You May Need A Murderer (Low)
4/5: New York Doll
4/12: The Carter (Lil Wayne)
4/19: Kurt Cobain: About a Son
4/26: Spinal Tap

When:    Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8:00pm -12:00pm

Where:  Velour Live Music Gallery (of course):

315 N UniversityAve.  Provo, UT

How Much: $7.00 (but it is worth it for all the great dancing, music,

and crowd you will be enjoying)

Many of these bands have played together before and will continue   to.                                  The chemistry between the bands is great and the show is smooth.

Hope to see you guys there!

]]> http://www.undergroundmusicreviews.com/the-vibrant-sound-elizabethan-report-links-and-imagine-dragons-concert/feed/ 0