Obligatory Monday Afternoon Post-Concert Post - 140809 @ Club FF

Forever fighting with my two "cameras". I think my Samsung Galaxy 5 has given up on audio, and my iphone... the video is so clear, but a very small view. Audio seems ok but... not great. Bear with me please.

푸르내 / Blue Stream

I arrived late, missing the first band. However, Blue Stream was a great way to start the evening. Chill music, with that 60s innocence, flirting with some 70s experimentation. I really feel like the biggest strength Blue Stream has is in their two vocalists... separately they are both good -- but when they combine their voices, it is very beautiful and I am really sad that my video doesn't seem to show off that strength, but give it a shot. I enjoyed the tone of the guitars, and Blue Stream's set fed quite well into the next band.

Obligatory Monday Afternoon Post-Concert Post - 140802 @ Club FF

I was suffering from a very low-grade migraine when I went to this show, so alas, the review is short. Migraine went away when I got to FF, but after Telefly, it was pretty unbearable. TT

I want to point out how much I dislike having to name styles/genres of music. I don't mind giving a general sense, but pigeon-holing a band as one sound just... often is not even going to work. So when at all possible, I am going to avoid that like the plague.

National pigeon unity(전국비둘기연합)

I am having trouble writing this review in particular because I keep going back and forth on how to properly highlight NPU. I can explain how exquisitely vibrant the Korean Indie scene is... and yet... something has been missing for me. It is entirely possible that my selection of shows is to blame. I tend toward the classic rock/psychedelic/blues/brit-pop -type shows. Somewhere in there, I feel like I am looking for something that I haven't found yet. Or I should say, HADN'T found yet. I found what I was looking for in NPU -- 90's-ish hard rock with a bit of grunge, a bit of White Stripes [and not just because they are a duo]. Their music is so familiar to me, even in a different era, with a different language, and a completely different scene. I have always wondered how musical duos work -- are there really enough people to really create enough sound? In this case, yes. NPU is one of the bands I will be following closely from here on out. 

Do you wonder how just two musicians can totally rock it? I bid you watch this video, all the way to the end.

Obligatory Monday Afternoon Post-Concert Post - 140726 @ Strange Fruit

First time at Strange Fruit. Another one of the places you start going down a set of steps and you have no idea what is on the other side. I had some indecision about which show to go to, but after I thought about it, I really wanted to hear some amazing rock. And knowing 3 out of 4 of these bands [ALMOST personally, ironic HUE, you still elude me! *shakes fist*], ...as always, I knew I was going to hear some amazing music. Lights here are pretty scarce, so I am quite disappointed in the video, as my phone just ... DIDN'T. So forgive me, don't hold it against the music. One of these days I will get myself some actual professional equipment, until then.... 

Julia Dream

I'm never going to stop telling everyone how amazing Julia Dream is. Yes, I know I am biased, but look here... They are one of those bands that just draws you in. Even knowing pretty much everything they play by heart, having seen them so many times, occasionally hanging out with them, and usurping their guitarist/vocalist to be my guitar teacher... I love this band and will support them in every way I possibly can. You couldn't find a nicer group of guys if you tried [I'm looking at you in particular 염상훈], or a more deceptively aloof, yet ridiculously hilarious bass player [that would be you, Byoung Kyu Son], or a more passionate musician with, no lie, a complete heart of gold [don't worry, I still expect to pay for lessons 선생님, aka 박준형]. OKOK, I HAVE a point, really. Julia Dream is a [relatively] new band, with just a few songs. One of the things that really struck me is how very different each song sounds, while still maintaining a cohesive element. I can't even quite put my finger on it... while you can define the whole piece as "psychedelic rock"... the individual parts... The first time I heard "Minor Extacy Blues"... it started in and I thought to myself, "Wait... Blues?" and yet by the end, I was SO convinced [I think it's now my favorite song]. Do I go to every show? No. I can't. Because I want to make sure each time I see them, I come with a fresh perspective. I suppose my point here is... people that love music will love Julia Dream. There is just no question. Quality over quantity. Maybe that's it -- that indefinable cohesive element -- quality.

Obligatory Monday Afternoon Post-Concert Post - 140719 @ Club DGBD

First time at DGBD. This is my kind of venue. Reminds me a bit of iSpy from the great olden days in Seattle. You walk down a set of cement stairs not knowing what to expect and find yourself on the top floor/catwalk looking down over the stage. Walking all the way to the back, you come upon a set of stairs to the lower/main level, where the bar/merch booth is. Loved the roses strewn all about the banister. Not sure if that is always there, or just for this show.... great ambience here. I was stuck up on the upper floor for the first three bands, so video/audio is a bit sketchy, please bare with me.

Cool thing about this particular show -- Psychedelic Factory is that each band was essentially nominated by a fan, who wrote a letter in support of getting said band a spot in the lineup. At some point in the show, each frontman read a letter from a fan. While I can't agree that every band here truly qualified as "psychedelic", they all could fall under the umbrella, and a better lineup would be a bit hard to find.

KUMCA

First time seeing KUMCA. I keep saying I am not a fan of female vocalists, and yet I keep having to qualify that statement. So excuse me while I qualify it one more time, and then I won't use it anymore. Lilting and just a little bit husky. Think a bit of Liz Phair circa "Divorce Song"... backed by strong, but sweet guitar lines -- not too hard, not too soft. What I like best about KUMCA is the dreamy guitar riffs that you could certainly spend an afternoon staring at the sky while daydreaming and listening to them. I particularly love the tones from the electric guitar. Whatever pedals he is using, I want.