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Show Review: Noah Gundersen Secret Show – 4/24

Cause A Scene — May 7, 2014 — Leave a comment

After an assortment of secret shows in Nashville, it was a fitting to end the week of intimate performances at the Cause A Scene HQ with Noah Gundersen. House shows offer artists the flexibility of making decisions that can alter the night in an incredible way making no two shows alike.

The night started off with Erin Rae filling the living room with delicate harmonies and music with a smooth, folksy Americana vibe.
Her soft-spoken demeanor and crisp vocals charmed the entire room. I always love when I attend a show to see the headliner and am delightfully surprised by the opening artist.

Armon Jay came up next, and folks, if you dig the sounds of Passenger and Joshua James, give this guy a listen. He will not disappoint.
He played most of the songs off his new album Everything’s Different, Nothing’s Changed which released earlier this year. He had an endearing quality of storytelling that came through when he explained his songs. He played a great set, and the fact that Noah Gundersen was not just in the room, but actually standing next to me, made it all the better. Can’t get that at the Bridgestone Arena.

The final performance of the night was none other than Noah Gundersen, accompanied by his sister Abby, with Armon Jay on the keys.
The chatter in the house fell silent within the first note of “Poor Man’s Son.” I love that he opened with this because it captivates and demands attention from the audience. Noah’s acapella intro transitioned from a single voice to a crowd of people during the chorus. At that moment I knew we were in for a special treat.

Noah is a one of a kind lyricist – only 24 and able to pinpoint and artfully express every possible human emotion within each of his songs. After playing “Isaiah,” his third track on his most recent album Ledges, he jokingly told the crowd “I don’t have any songs abut friendship, only sadness”.

The best moment of the night occurred halfway through the song “Nashville,” when Noah unplugged his guitar, made a b-line for the center of the room, and finished out his set. House shows FTW.

– Rachel Milligan

In Show Reviews armon jay, erin rae, noah gundersen, rachel milligan

Show Review: Arcade Fire At Bridgestone Arena – 5/1

Cause A Scene — May 6, 2014 — Leave a comment

Arcade Fire put on quite the spectacle at the Bridgestone Arena Thursday night; from their staple paper mache heads dancing around, to an elaborate use of mirrors and lights throughout the show.

When I hear Arcade fire, I don’t automatically think of them as a “Rock Arena” type. I was proved wrong from the moment they walked on stage to when it was time for the final bow. They gave a memorable performance and kept everyone on their toes.

As part of the Reflektor tour, Arcade Fire asked each individual to participate in a dress code suggestion of “formal attire or costume”. As some might see as a pretentious request, I saw as more of a playful undertaking. That night I was surrounded by an assortment of people in attire ranging from tuxedos & formal gowns to Winnie the Pooh costumes. It adds an element of lightheartedness to the evening when you’re in line for a drink and turn around to a Jesus, or are washing your hands next to a woman in a ball gown worth more than your car.

The whole night was an exposition of outstanding live music, confetti explosions, ever-changing stage décor and backdrops, and even more confetti (seriously there was a lot of confetti). My eyes were constantly moving across the stage as well as the arena. That was mainly due to frontman Win Butler and his wife Regine Chassagne. They are brilliant musicians with a captivating stage presence.

I couldn’t get enough of Regine- a-jack-of-all-trades. She reminds me of that one person we all seem to know who excels at everything. One minute she’s on stage playing the keys, the next she vanishes only to appear singing and dancing in the middle of the arena. You look away for one second to find that she has made her way back on stage and is now rocking out on the drums and giving a killer rendition of Sprawl (Mountains Beyond Mountains). The girl has some major stamina.

As much as I loved them playing at the Bridgestone and love that they have the ability to fill it, I will always prefer seeing them play in smaller venues. I mean who wouldn’t? Each member is so charismatic, that it is difficult to see and appreciate the individual’s personality through a sea of confetti and backdrop décor. Nevertheless it was a phenomenal performance with a perfect setlist. I have been waiting to see them play again for quite some time, and it was well worth the wait.

– Rachel Milligan

Arcade Fire Setlist:

Here Comes The Night Time
Reflektor
Flashbulb Eyes
Neighborhood #3
Rebellion
Joan of Arc
Get Right
Month of May
The Suburbs
The Suburbs (continued)
Ready to Start
We Exist
Neighborhood #1
Crown of Love
My Body is a Cage
Afterlife
Its Never Over

ENCORE:

Normal Person
Intervention
Broad Minded
Wake Up

In Show Reviews arcade fire, rachel milligan

Show Review: The Colourist, Night Terrors of 1927 and The Wind + The Wave

Cause A Scene — March 25, 2014 — Leave a comment

All Images by Jeromy Reaux

It is a rare occurrence, at least in my experience, when one can attend a show and end up truly loving not only the band that was the catalyst for your attendance, but also the other two acts on the bill. Wednesday night at the High Watt the fuse was lit by The Wind and The Wave, kept burning hot with Night Terrors of 1927, and ignited into a glorious musical detonation of awesomeness with The Colourist.

The Wind and The Wave have enjoyed some love from our beloved local radio station Lightning 100 who have recently been playing the male/female duo’s foot stomping tune, With Your Two Hands. This is currently the only music that they have available for purchase, but never fear, they are planning on releasing their first album this year which this hungry music lover will be sure to gobble up. Best friends Dwight Baker and Patricia Lynn play more like a single person occupying two bodies than they do a two-piece band. Patricia attacked the microphone and moved with contagious energy with Dwight’s backing vocals and electric guitar finishing the sound out effortlessly. The two of them mentioned early on in the show that they will always carry fond memories of Nashville for being the first city to play their music on the radio. Baker offered a light-hearted quip after this by saying that they might end up also holding a grudge against us if we are also the last city to play them over the air waves. Believe me, Dwight, the two of you are far too talented for that to ever happen. Chemistry was not my best best subject in high school, but I know a perfect mix when I see it.

Next up was a previously unknown band to me, the Los Angeles based Night Terrors of 1927. Some great musical discoveries are made on accident and that was the case for me this night. With powerful lead vocals and harmonies from nearly everyone on stage I was more than pleased with my first experience with Night Terrors. Their songs were catchy with a broad appeal, but still personal and raw – a combination that will no doubt serve this band well. Oh, and one more thing…their drummer ROCKS.

Closing out the Wednesday night show was another west coast act, The Colourist. The band name/logo draped across the back wall of the stage was a good touch, but I have no doubt that they will soon be replacing it with much larger stage decorations. Anthems…their songs are anthems. I somehow felt like singing along to every song they played, whether I had previously heard it or not. While everyone on stage were talented musicians and essential parts of the sound and show, nobody in attendance could keep their eyes off of the female drummer/co-lead singer Maya Tuttle (or am I just speaking for myself?). Are you kidding me?? Her drums were set at the front of the stage and trust me, that was no accident. With a killer voice and rhythm for days you definitely don’t want to banish her to the back of any stage, ever. Put her up front…heck, put her on a spotlighted raised platform front and center for all the world to see. Sometimes I fall in love at shows…this might have been one of those times. I will see them the next time they are in our fair city and you had best do the same. This band rocks, nuff said. Not to mention (even though I’m mentioning it) that some guy in the crowd up front started doing the worm towards the end of the set so hey, it must have been good…right?

The High Watt is a perfect place to experience new talent in a small intimate setting where you can hear the music and see the details, but each of these bands delivered in a way that can easily take them on a short walk down the hall to the larger capacity and talent-worn stage of the Mercy Lounge.

– Wes Poole

(For more images from the night, head over to Reaux Photo for the full set. Thanks, Jeromy!)

In Show Reviews Jeromy Reaux, Night Terrors of 1927, The Colourist, The Wind + The Wave, Wes Poole

Show Review: Fever Fever at Exit/In – 11/2

Cause A Scene — November 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

Cool evening temperatures remind us that fall has arrived, but this past weekend, Nashville caught the fever… Fever Fever that is. As my first article for Cause A Scene, I had the privilege of choosing any band to write about for one of their Daily Discovery pieces. Since I had been listening to Ohio-based Fever Fever for awhile, I knew that they were the group I wanted to showcase. This past weekend, I was given another amazing opportunity to see this band perform at Exit/In as a part of a Slospeak Records show. If that wasn’t enough by itself, I was also invited to a secret house show.

In my earlier article, I compared Fever Fever to bands like Young the Giant and Local Natives. After seeing them perform, I feel the need to throw all of my previously made comparisons out the window, simply because they aren’t like anyone else I’ve seen. The guys in Fever Fever played a really phenomenal set, complete with a harmonium, a flute, and a sweet lights show. The downloads I’ve been listening to for so long don’t do this band justice by themselves.

If you’re looking for a new favorite, you should definitely give this band a listen. You will seriously not be disappointed.

– Bailey Basham

In Show Reviews Bailey Basham, Fever Fever

Show Review: Salvador Dali Parton at Exit/In – 10/26

Cause A Scene — November 1, 2013 — Leave a comment

Super-group alert! If you have never heard of Salvador Dali Parton, I’ll cut you some slack considering the band only came together a week ago, but they’re one group you’re going to want to know about. Made up of Mumford and Sons’ Winston Marshall, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Gil Landry, Jake Orrall of Jeff the Brotherhood, Mike Harris of Apache Relay, and fronted by Justin Hayward-Young of The Vaccines, Salvador Dali Parton’s existence in the music world was short-lived but oh so sweet. After a 20-minute songwriting session, one day of practice, a fair amount of whiskey, and a night of six shows, Salvador Dali Parton disbanded early Sunday morning.

Considering the collection of artists who made up this group, no one could have predicted that they’d deliver a mix of emo punk and doom metal, made even better by Marshall’s appearance in a dress, fishnet stockings, a fur coat, and a platinum blonde wig to complete the bizarre look. As soon as the show began, a robed Hayward-Young turned into a man on a mission: to deliver as many death stares and theatrically foreboding hand gestures as possible. Their set-list consisted of mostly impromptu instrumentals but with only one practice session together, they managed to pull off a very entertaining show. Much to my and the rest of the audience’s enjoyment, Marshall and Hayward-Young were both very involved with the audience throughout the show I attended at the Exit/In. At one point, a slightly inebriated Marshall invited an audience member on stage for a slow dance.

Despite having lasted just a little over half an hour, I can easily say that Salvador Dali Parton delivered one of the most entertaining and memorable shows I’ve seen. Even after seeing them perform, I’m not entirely sure what their sound is; I only know that it’s a good one.

– Bailey Basham

In Show Reviews apache relay, Bailey Basham, jeff the brotherhood, mumford and sons, old crow medicine show, salvador dali parton, the vaccines