Live Sessions

Rock Plaza Central, one of Canada’s finest exports, happened into our studio during June and knocked out a few new tunes off their excellent release At The Moment Of Our Most Needing. Led by frontman, Chris Eaton, the Canucks displayed their unique look at alt-country with experimental elements of Neutral Milk Hotel.

If you are new to Rock Plaza Central, Eaton’s vocals will be the first thing you’ll notice.  He has a unique sound that, in the context of accompanying arrangements, fits perfectly. While songwriting and vocals may grab your attention, be careful not to miss some outstanding work by Andy (drums), Scott (bass/guitar), Fiona (violin) and Donald (guitar/trumpet). On “Oh I Can”, the drum build-up is slow and hypnotizing and when the band enters with the chorus, it’s as if you are smacked out of a stupor.

As with all live sessions, commentary is secondary. Let’s just enjoy the work of Rock Plaza Central and producer Steve Shirk. And as always, thanks for listening and supporting independent music.

Exclusive: Rock Plaza Central – Oh I Can

Exclusive: Rock Plaza Central – Handsome Men

Exclusive: Rock Plaza Central – Foes

Exclusive: Rock Plaza Central – Gutter Dance

Download the session as a zip.

Video: Rock Plaza Central – Handsome Men

A day or so after The Devil Makes Three stormed through Chicago, a buddy of mine asked how I liked the DM3 session. I rubbed my chin thoughtfully and responded in such fashion:

“DM3 album es bueno”

“DM3 in studio es muy bueno”

DM3 live at Beat Kitchen es muy bueno con queso”

What the hell does that mean? Besides the obvious, 1) everything goes better with cheese and 2) I have a limited use of the English language.

It means that DM3 are one of the better live acts touring the country these days. Individually, Pete, Lucia and Cooper are each immensely talented, but the way they work together is the real treat. With a frantic brand of music that feels like it could easily veer off the tracks at any moment, it’s imperative that the three band mates not step on each other’s toes or the music could get muddled. Luckily, Devil Makes Three has the technical chops to pull each song off flawlessly.

Shirk did a fantastic job of capturing their sound here, but I implore you see them live if you have the chance. They even joked about the studio performance at the show, saying it was tough to play standing still to remain on camera.

The crowd at the show that night was a demographic mixed bag, which is consistent from what I’ve read in press clippings. From one release, I read “The Devil Makes Three has developed an audience that encompasses just about every kind of music fan from punk rockers to Deadheads, bluegrass barflies and rockabilly fanatics to indie rock kids.”

Didn’t matter what they were wearing. Everyone was dancing their ass off and I almost had my ACL torn apart by a girl slipping in her stilettos.

Exclusive: The Devil Makes Three – For Good Again

Exclusive: The Devil Makes Three – Do Wrong Right

Exclusive: The Devil Makes Three – Poison Trees

Exclusive: The Devil Makes Three – Help Yourself

Exclusive: The Devil Makes Three – The Day I Jumped From Uncle Harvey’s Plane

Download the session as a zip.

Video: The Devil Makes Three – Do Wrong Right (see more videos from this session here).

Alabama vets, The Dexateens were to kind enough to stop by our studio earlier this summer. My appreciation for this band has grown over the years and the turning point was when they worked with Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers) on Hardwire Healing. Patterson is one of the icons of the alt-country genre and his influence is ever present in the music of The Dexateens.

Their latest effort, Singlewide, has enjoyed steady play in my rotation this summer. I’ve said it before but it bears repeating – it is the perfect evening album for the summer. It’s easy-going vibe is the perfect transition as day turns into night and the kids head off to bed.

The boys laid down four live tracks during their visit to Chicago. “Granddaddy’s Mouth is a tune that didn’t really stand out  during my countless album spins, but it was the one that knocked my socks off.  It has a nice mid-70s Stone vibe, back when they weren’t trying too hard to be the Stones. Thanks for listening enjoy the downloads.

The Dexateens – Trail

The Dexateens – Can You Whoop It

The Dexateens – Grandaddy’s Mouth

The Dexateens – Down Low

Download The Dexateens Live Session as a zip.

Video: The Dexateens – Grandaddy’s Mouth

Dexateens – “Grandaddy’s Mouth” – HearYa Live Session 5/20/09 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

Our 50th live session! I remember the day in Austin at South By Southwest when Oz and Shirk hatched this plan. And I remember my skepticism. What band is going to stop by the studio for a brand new blog? We invited a few bands to the studio, Shirk worked his magic and we slowly learned a few things. Ha Ha Tonka came in for Live Session #8 and knocked our socks off. I glanced over at Shirk afterward and we both seemed to have the same thought – “Hell, this might really work.”

Things have taken a life of their own since then and it’s fitting that our 50th session is a repeat visit from one of our favorite bands, Ha Ha Tonka. Not only do I love their music, but I also now consider Brian, Brett, Lennon and Luke friends. On their recent visit to Chicago they had a night off, so the scene in the studio was easy going and relaxed. I headed down with my 5 year old, Teddy, picked up a couple of beers and settled in for a good evening of music.

The band worked through a couple of takes before nailing “Close Every Valve Of Your Bleeding Heart,” one of my favorite tunes of the year off of this year’s album Novel Sounds Of The Nouveau South. As the night wore on, Teddy had the chance to sit in with the band for a little jam session. Lennon and Luke kept the beat as Teddy pounded away on the kit. Brian and Brett soon joined and I thought my son’s smile was going to explode off his face. The only thing that would have excited him more was if Luke Skywalker was on the bass instead of Luke Long.

As we drove home listening to Ha Ha, I thought how cool it was that my son just played with one of the best young bands in America. I expected Teddy to be asleep the minute I pulled away, but he was abuzz with excitement. After years of telling me he was going to be a construction worker when he grows up, he’s now decided to be a rock and roll guitarist. Teddy took a real shine to Brett (lead guitar) and wanted to listen to only Brett’s songs on the way home.

It’s difficult to express how much I enjoy Ha Ha Tonka. The band continues to grow and challenge themselves and their warm personalities accent their music like barbecue sauce on a slab of ribs. If you haven’t yet, catch them on tour and make sure to introduce yourself. You’ll see what I mean.

Exclusive: Ha Ha Tonka – Walking On The Devil’s Backbone

Exclusive: Ha Ha Tonka – Close Every Valve To Your Bleeding Heart

Exclusive: Ha Ha Tonka – Hold My Feet To The Fire

Exclusive: Ha Ha Tonka – The Outpouring

Download the session as a zip.

See the rest of the videos over here.

Video: Ha Ha Tonka – Walking On The Devil’s Backbone

Ha Ha Tonka – “Walking On The Devil’s Backbone” – HearYa Live Session 5/3/09 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

I first heard of Horse Feathers when they opened for Blitzen Trapper at Schubas last fall.  The music was stunning and the crowd shut up and listened quietly to the entire set.  Fast forward a few months to a sunny Friday morning at SXSW, and I’m sitting with the HearYa crew in gravel at Homeslice Pizza watching Horse Feathers kick off our day.  Again, the crowd quickly shut up and listened. Fast forward a few more months and I found Horse Feathers at Schubas for the first of two sold out shows with Joe Pug.  Once again, the show was exceptional and the crowd took notice.  After a few too many beers and a couple of shots, I decided to head home because Horse Feathers was coming into my studio at 11am the following morning.

I showed up to the studio with a headache, reminding myself I am no longer in my 20’s.  Justin, Nathan, Catherine, and Sam rolled ina few minutes later, coffee in hand an ready to go.  We positioned the mics and cameras and got rolling.  Their music is awesome and seeing them pull it off in an intimate setting like this was something to behold.  Justin’s voice is smooth as silk and the band delivers an incredible dynamic behind him.  Every time I looked up from the control room, somebody was picking up a new instrument to add to a part, mid-song.  Nathan’s performance on the saw during “Heathen’s Kiss” gives such a dark and haunting texture, while Sam throws the kitchen sink at the music from banjo, mandolin and violin to percussion and glockenspiel.

I had my hands full for this session, covering both audio and camera-switcher duties, so it took me a song to get things under control. I missed a few things in the process.  You’ll notice Justin’s floor tambourine is a bit cutting and loud, especially on “Working Poor.” Like hi-hats in a drum kit, a little goes a long way and this tambourine went ALL the way.  These are live sessions though and you can’t control all the variables. Sometimes you just gotta deal with it.  I was tempted to say something after the first take, but instead I thought twice and did what everyone should do when seeing Horse Feathers. I just shut up and listened.

Exclusive: Horse Feathers – Working Poor

Exclusive: Horse Feathers – Heathen’s Kiss

Exclusive: Horse Feathers – Curs In The Weeds

Exclusive: Horse Feathers – Rude To Rile

Download the entire Horse Feathers Session as a zip.

Video: Horse Feathers – Heathen’s Kiss

See the rest of the videos from our session with Horse Feathers on our the HearYa YouTube Channel.

Whelp, we finished our 50th live session and have a bit of a backlog due to a hard drive crashing – yeah, that one that contains video from Ha Ha Tonka, Horse Feathers and Other Lives. We’ll have it restored asap, but this feels like a great time to thank Beer Nuts for sponsoring our live sessions and Steve Shirk for working so hard to make them sound and look great. Also thanks to videographer, Mark Smirl, for volunteering his time to bring the sessions to life.

We’re continuing to book some great bands this summer, so I’ll be sure to update y’all as they get locked in.

Eulogies gave away a free EP called Homespun Sessions not too long ago and that was my first introduction to the band. The album consists of acoustic versions of their recent release Here Anonymous and it’s amazing. From the first few lines uttered by lead singer Peter Walker on “Bad Connection,” I was locked in and captivated. That feeling continued through the rest of the EP and I anxiously awaited the full length.

Here Anonymous includes electric versions of the same songs on the EP featuring Drew Phillips on guitar, Chris Reynolds on drums and incredible bass lines, courtesy of Tim Hutton. Those same melancholy coffee-shop friendly songs from the acoustic EP were brought to life and became uplifting pop songs, tailor made for alt-radio and big concert halls.

I’m now familiar with Peter Walker and Eulogies and it was great to have the band in the studio for a live session to showcase a few tracks I’ve fallen in love with like “Day To Day,” “This Fine Progression” and “Bad Connection.” While many bands in the indie world are experimenting with new sounds and instrumentation, the Eulogies’ delivery is simple, straightforward and refreshing. When you write great songs the lyrics deserve to be front and center while the band envelopes them in sound. That’s how Eulogies package their music.

They’ve offered us fans an album for free and now a live session. If you dig them (like all bands kind enough to spend time with us), please repay the favor and buy the album or check them out in person. Maybe buy a tee shirt. For now, enjoy the tracks.

Exclusive: Eulogies – Day To Day

Exclusive: Eulogies – Under The Knife

Exclusive: Eulogies – This Fine Progression

Exclusive: Eulogies – How To Be Alone

Exclusive: Eulogies – Bad Connection

Click here to download all the songs as a zip.

Video: Eulogies – Bad Connection (Live at Shirk Music + Sound)

Eulogies – “Bad Connection” – HearYa Live Session 5/13/09 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

I’ve loved music as far back as I can remember. Can’t play a lick of anything, but my absence of talent is balanced by my passion as a fan. Over the course of the last two years, I have learned more about music than in the past 25+ years due to hanging out with our esteemed producer, Steve Shirk. Steve always talks about the importance of a good rhythm section and how it forms the foundation of a band’s sound. That was at the forefront of my mind while watching Blind Pilot perform in studio.

I had seen Blind Pilot twice already in April and experiencing them live only enhanced my love for their amazing debut, Three Rounds and A Sound. It’s easy to get caught up in Isreal Nebeker’s amazing lyrics, silky vocals and the wistful feeling of Blind Pilot’s music. Their sound is so effortless that it’s easy to lose sight of the spectacular work of rhythm section, led by Ryan Dombrowski. Watching them live in the studio really made me take notice and Ryan doesn’t miss a beat – nothing fancy but not a note missed. Add Luke on the stand up bass and they become the backbone of the band, allowing the band to strut their stuff.

Much like their HearYa Live Session predecessors, The Love Language, we were aided by a touch of Maker’s Mark that smoothed out a bump along the way. That might end up becoming our trademark. For Blind Pilot fans out there, you’ll be pleased to find some fresh sounds in these familiar tracks with the addition of an added banjo and trumpet. I hope you enjoy this session as much as I do.

Blind Pilot Band Intro

Exclusive: Blind Pilot – One Red Thread

Exclusive: Blind Pilot – Go On Say It

Exclusive: Blind Pilot – Two Towns From Me

Exclusive: Blind Pilot – The Story I Heard

Exclusive: Blind Pilot – Things I Cannot Recall

Download the Blind Pilot Session as a zip.

Exclusive Video: Blind Pilot – One Red Thread

Blind Pilot – “One Red Thread” – HearYa Live Session 4/3/09 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

The Love Language = my new favorite band. It’s been on my mind since I saw them play at SXSW, but after hearing these tracks from our recent live session, it’s now confirmed.

Stuart McLamb played every instrument and recorded the self-titled debut album between his parents’ house and a rented storage unit – all on a $300 recording device. The result was a brilliant body of work with a gritty, lo-fi sound. After hearing his voice on this session backed by a seven-piece band, I’m beginning to think that the lo-fi recording is doing him a huge disservice. In fact, I’d like to request that The Love Language record an alternate version of the album, recorded as a band in a proper recording studio.

The bottom line is that McLamb’s voice is silly good and his raw emotion and lyrical prowess take The Love Language’s music to another level. At SXSW, their manager told us that he wrote and recorded their debut album after a bad break-up and some time in jail. That might inject some emotion into the songwriting.

The tracks from the session are a great accompaniment to the album; each a different flavor of the original. The band struggled on their first two takes of the unreleased song, “Blue Angel,” but after a couple rounds of Maker’s Mark shots, they were properly lubed up to kill the third take. It’s great to see the passion, smiles and fist pumps in the video. In fact, I challenge you to not smile while you watch it. My other favorites from the session are “Providence” and “Manteo.”

Exclusive: Love Language – Nocturne

Exclusive: Love Language – Providence

Exclusive: Love Language – Manteo

Exclusive: Love Language – Blue Angel (Unreleased)

Exclusive: Love Language – Graycourt

Download all the tracks as a zip file.

Video: The Love Language – Blue Angel

The Love Language – “Blue Angel” – HearYa Live Session 4/2/09 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.