Archives For house shows
If you listen to The CO’s second and most recent full-length album, Keep It Together, you may feel yourself being rapidly sucked into your car stereo by the pulsing beat that jump starts the opening track, “Frequency.” Don’t worry. This is a good thing, because The CO is nothing short of awesome! The dramatic thumping beat is quickly accompanied by the soft, yet powerful and distinctive vocals of front man Colin Brace and the song swiftly culminates to an anthemic chorus that is driven by drummer Nate Fleming’s rhythm section and Troy Akers’ melodic keys. Together they produce a sound that resonates with the soul and remains consistent throughout the entire album without any sense of wear or tire. With an expertly polished sound that lies somewhere in the vast musical galaxy between catchy pop and edgy indie, The CO create a sound that sticks with you.
“Frequency” is perfect sample of what Keep It Together is as a whole bodied piece of work. Throughout the compellation, Brace’s vocals are soulful and tender and helm a sound that consistently tows the line between emotive ballad and catchy, head nod inducing choruses, often blending the two seamlessly from one song to the next creating a fluidity and cohesiveness that is seldom found even in some of the most seasoned artist’s work.
The collaborative approach that the band takes to songwriting is a large contributing factor to The CO’s diverse sound and also yields each songs lyrical depth and emotional variance. Each song is product of an exposed vulnerability, from the hopeful and inspiring title track “Keep It Together,” to the deep and introspective “How To Say Goodbye.” It is quickly evident to anyone who may choose to listen, that this is what The CO is all about. It’s not just the fantastic production on the album, but the soul of each song that sets them apart.
I was fortunate enough to experience this first hand a couple of weeks ago at one of Cause A Scene’s most recent house shows. It was my first time seeing the band live, and it also happened to be my first time hearing the band at all, and that was what stuck with me. Sure, I was struck by Brace’s vocals and Akers’ soaring harmonies, as well as every other aspect that makes them a pleasure to listen to. However, there was something else that couldn’t be put into words, something that resonated on a personal level. At first, I thought it was due to the stripped down semi-unplugged set and the intimate atmosphere of a living room house show, but it wasn’t. That personal connection was just as apparent plugged-in on the album. That is what makes a band great. The ability to connect with listeners, no matter the medium. And that is exactly what The CO does.
– Christian Lerchenfeld
This weekend we are pleased to have not one, but TWO, house shows for you. Really could not be any more excited for the lineups we’ve put together for the next two nights. First up, tomorrow night, we’ll be hosting a handful of Nashville artists: The CO, Emily Reid, Reed Pittman and Joseph LeMay. The show is at 5008 Longstreet Drive in Brentwood (just off the Concord Road exit), and music starts at 8:00. Parking is available across the street in the church parking lot. Tickets can be purchased here in advance.
Next up, on Saturday night, we are hosting our first ever East Nashville house show, at The Refinery (617 Shelby Avenue). We’ve assembled an incredible trio of bands from all over the country, with Nashville’s Allen Thompson Band, San Francisco’s Branches, and Chicago’s Bears of Blue River ready to show Music City a really great time. Music starts at 8:00 and parking is available in the church parking lot adjacent to the house. Advance tickets for this show can be purchased here.
If asked to describe the band Abandon Kansas I suppose I would have two words for you: Folk electronica. Well, perhaps I would add, spiritually inclined synth-rock. Or maybe, lyrical indie-pop with infectious melodies and smooth vocals. And would I go so far as to say Keane meets a club remix? No, let’s not go there. I am no fan of band comparisons. Instead, I’ll say this: I have never really heard anything like Abandon Kansas. And I like it.
This four man band that formed back in 2005, in (you guessed it) Kansas—Wichita to be exact—seems to be able to do just about anything. Take their newest single “Turn it to Gold,” for example. You download the song from iTunes and suddenly you’re lost in a relentlessly driving, danceable, hopeful pop track. You try to stop yourself from tapping your feet, but you can’t. And if you’re anything like me, you’re out of your chair before the first chorus has even ended, fist-pumping toward the sky as you sing along. “Take the darkest part of me and turn it to Gold, oh, oh…”
Now, take a breather, and watch this acoustic YouTube version of the same song. One voice, one guitar, one amazing scat solo. Oh, wait, you think, so they are an indie-folk band? But I thought—Stop yourself right there. Don’t worry about figuring it out. Just keep listening. Abandon Kansas will only keep surprising you.
On Friday, January 25th Cause A Scene will be kicking off the first show of 2013 with Abandon Kansas as the feature. And I honestly could not think of a better band to be headlining this show. As I began digging a little deeper into the history, and what appears to be the mission of Abandon Kansas, one fundamental thing struck me—this is a band that loves its fans. From my first visit to their website (www.abandonkansaslovesyou.com) to reading about their fourth annual Living Room Tour (an “acoustic house tour booked by fans in fans’ living rooms”) I realized that Abandon Kansas understands that the people who listen to their music are perhaps as important as the music itself, that playing shows on a large stage to a packed audience is great, but that playing intimate shows, shows where band and listener get to interact, is equally valuable.
Often by the time one “discovers” a band, the musicians have a certain level of acclaim or notoriety that can distance them from their listeners and likewise distance the listeners from them—the raised stage being the most obvious barrier. As show-goers we often have the opportunity to see a favorite band in a mid- to large-sized venue. If lucky, we even get the chance to queue up for a signed CD and a handshake. A conversation with a band member might go like this:
“I loved your show.”
“Thanks! And thanks for coming out.”
Next.
What strikes me as particularly special about Abandon Kansas is that they have gained a certain level of acclaim and notoriety. (In 2009 they were signed to a label, Gotee Records, have been played regularly on RadioU and have toured frequently nationwide for a more than half a decade.) And still, they have committed, every year, for four years, to embark on a living room tour in which they play in the homes of fans, for an intimate group of fans. I can honestly say I have never heard of such a thing in my life. And it’s awesome.
I hope, like me, you’ll come out for the first show of the year and take the opportunity to join Cause A Scene in supporting the incredible movement that is the House Show and in supporting a band that gives back so much to their fans. And let’s not forget that the music will be great. I know I can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday night.
– Molly Black
2012 has been an unbelievably busy (and just plain fun!) year for Cause A Scene with us recently eclipsing the 25 house show mark. Out of all the shows we’ve hosted, there is 1 that has possibly excited us more than any other to be able to host, and that show is taking place a week from today with Elenowen, Seth Wood, and Parke Avery set to take the living room stage at Cause A Scene HQ. Tickets are going like hotcakes and we fully anticipate a sellout prior to the day of the show. Moral of the story: if you’re planning on coming to the house show next Friday night, use the handy-dandy Eventbrite link below to purchase your tickets. Also, be on the lookout next week on Elenowen’s social media channels for a special ticket giveaway we’ll be doing. Hope to see you next Friday night at the house!
Need more convincing? Well then check out my personal favorite “Head to My Heart” below. I challenge you to not be moved by this song!
