photo ©2009 geekstar.com

Cursive is currently touring the United States in support of their new album, I Am Gemini. The band will be playing at Mr. Smalls on Wednesday, March 28th with Cymbals Eat Guitars and Conduits.

I Am Gemini was recorded at Omaha’s ARC Studios and mixed at Red Room in Seattle, WA, with producer Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Minus The Bear, Isis).  The album tells the tale of Cassius and Pollock, twin brothers who were separated at birth. One good and one evil, their unexpected reunion in a house that is not a home ignites a classic struggle for the soul, played out with a cast of supporting characters that includes a chorus of angels and devils, and twin sisters conjoined at the head.

Recorded in the summer/fall of 2011 at Omaha, NE’s ARC Studios and mixed at Red Room in Seattle, WA with producer Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Minus The Bear, Isis), I Am Gemini marks the first time front man Tim Kasher, holding the completed story already in mind, wrote album lyrics in a linear fashion, in order, from song 1 to song 13.  The result is thirteen singularly cohesive song chapters that blend effortlessly into one unique narrative.

The moody and playfully sinister I Am Gemini is Cursive’s musically heaviest in years, with alternately muscular and angular guitars, pounding drums and driving bass. From the eerie introductory sounds of epic barnstormer “This House Alive” and the irresistibly catchy, insistent “The Sun and Moon”, to the searing “Double Dead” and the split personality prog-pop of “Twin Dragon/Hello Skeleton”, to the roaring, mournful closing track “Eulogy for No Name”, the album is a dynamic, mind-bending, and imaginative ride.

Cursive with guests Cymbals Eat Guitars and Conduits
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Mr. Smalls Theatre
Doors: 7pm, Music: 8pm | All Ages
Tix: $16 adv, $18 dos

Gene The Werewolf
Bear Cub
Of An Empire

Friday, March 16 2012
REX Theatre (1602 E. Carson Street)
8:00 PM – All Ages

Iron City Sound, presented by Iron City Beer, presents Gene The Werewolf, Bear Cub, and Of An Empire this coming Friday night at the REX Theatre in Pittsburgh’s South Side. All three bands share Pittsburgh roots, although Bear Cub has since relocated to Nashville. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to see all three bands play together. Come experience why Pittsburgh’s burgeoning music scene is getting national attention.

Bear Cub: The Jinx

Of An Empire: What You Never Do

I pretty much freaked when I read on Twitter that Trampled by Turtles was coming back to Pittsburgh in April. I first saw the band at the Tractor Tavern while visiting an old Pittsburgh friend, James, in Seattle. We were on a blue grass rampage and had already seen seven blue grass bands play in a period of three days. James commented Trampled by Turtles was the best blue grass he had seen to date. I totally agree and still do.

The band beautifully plays the banjo, fiddle and mandolin. TBT is known for their ballads and twangy upbeat songs that get the crowd dancing and hollering. It got pretty rowdy when we saw them at The Tractor. I’m hoping the same happens at Smalls.

Paste Magazine names Trampled by Turtles one of the top 25 acts to see live in 2011.

Trampled by Turtles
Saturday, April 14
Mr. Smalls, Millvale
Concert Info Here

Just for fun…

Help bring the Decentralized Dance Party to Pittsburgh!

http://kck.st/rX5xOv

What is DDP?
The Decentralized Dance Party (DDP) is a portable, battery-powered Party System. It consists of hundreds of Party people, carrying boomboxes, and a DJ who wears a backpack, containing an FM transmitter. All the boomboxes are tuned into the DJ’s master FM broadcast, resulting in a mobile, synchronized sound system!

This Portable Dance Party roams the night, generating complete awesomeness, street by street and block by block, onto buses and subways, into public fountains and beyond. Inevitably interfacing with the public, together we create an infectious epidemic of fun. A Roaming Party Adventure that lasts all night long!

More than a Party, the DDP has proven to be a very interesting social experiment; clearly demonstrating that thousands of people of all ages, cultures and social groups can come together to celebrate life and get crazy in our public spaces without causing any trouble. That is why the DDP is also known as “The Party Revolution”. It is a unique force that has the power to unify and inspire people in ways never before imagined.

When is DDP Pittsburgh?
Friday, April 27 at 8 PM with location to be announced!!
CLICK TO VIEW THE FACEBOOK EVENT

BUT THE PARTY WON’T HAPPEN IF WE DON’T REACH OUR KICKSTARTER GOAL by Feb.10th!

GIVE A DOLLA (or more) THROUGH KICKSTARTER:

http://kck.st/rX5xOv

We are at $727 dollars and need to raise $1000 to make it happen! Only 6 more days left! If everyone, gives at least a dolla, we will make it happen!

THE THEME:
This is the Strictly Business Tour. That means you MUST wear Business Attire (suits, ties, cufflinks, glasses, nice shoes, sexy skirts, gel that hair, etc) and bring along as much business paraphernalia as possible (wheeled office chairs, briefcases, rolodexes, calculators, coffee machines+mugs, water coolers, filing cabinets, etc. get Creative and get Crazy). You can buy suits at Value Village and Salvation Army for like $10 so NO EXCUSES!

Give a dolla on Kickstarter Geekstar friends! Give $20 and score a sweet Fanny Pack of AWESOMENESS!

VIDEO:

Tyler Ramsey of Band of Horses recently performed an acoustic set at Club Cafe in Pittsburgh’s South Side. The tour is in support of his recent album, The Valley Wind. Geekstar.com was in attendance and took some stills along with a video of Ramsey performing his single, The Valley Wind.

Ramsey is perhaps most immediately recognizable as the tall, lean guitarist in Band Of Horses, having played with them since 2007, starting before the release of their breakthrough album, Cease To Begin. A well-established and praised guitar player and singer in the burgeoning music scene of Asheville, NC where he calls home, he first learned to play music on piano before moving to the guitar. Ramsey grew up listening to and studying country-blues guitar players like Mance Lipscomb and Mississippi John Hurt, and American finger pickers like John Fahey and Leo Kottke, absorbing their sound and making it all his own.

Ramsey released his self-titled debut in 2004 and followed it in 2008 with A Long Dream About Swimming Across The Sea (Echo Mountain Records), which was praised by NPR(World Café – “Heartwarming, delicate, and comforting”), Stereogum (‘Artist To Watch’),WNYC’s Soundcheck, and Popmatters, among others.  That album – a collection of haunting and atmospheric songs that exude a markedly fluid, easy grace – was re-released by Brown Records/Fat Possum in January 2011.

Purchase his album on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-valley-wind/id460610452

all photos and video ©2011 geekstar.com

Tyler Ramsey, guitarist from Band of Horses

Solo show in support of his new album, The Valley Wind

Tyler Ramsey with special guest, Pairdown
Club Café, 56-58 South 12th Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Thursday, October 13
Doors open 7 PM, show at 8 PM
Tickets $10

www.clubcafelive.com

www.tylerramsey.com

The Nightbird by tylerramsey

The Valley Wind by tylerramsey

Tyler Ramsey is perhaps most immediately recognizable as the tall, lean guitarist in Band Of Horses, having played with them since 2007, starting before the release of their breakthrough album, Cease To Begin. A well-established and praised guitar player and singer in the burgeoning music scene of Asheville, NC where he calls home, he first learned to play music on piano before moving to the guitar.

After steadily writing while both on and off the road over the course of last year, Ramsey headed to Nashville, TN, to record his third album The Valley Wind at Alex The Great studio in early January.  Friend and bandmate Bill Reynolds (who’s worked with The Avett Brothers and Lissie) produced and aided on bass, while friend Seth Kauffman (Floating Action) sat in on drums and guitar, also singing background vocals.

Over a rare snowy set of six days in the southern city, Ramsey crafted nine, finely spun songs, keeping the focus on performance as they were played, and letting fresh ideas reveal themselves as they would.  The sessions were intense; the three musicians separated and insulated from most normal daily goings-on during the recording period. The result: a crystalline yet warm album, filled with Ramsey’s rich, plaintive vocals and expressive, intricate guitar playing.

Experience Tyler’s music this coming Thursday at Club Cafe in Pittsburgh’s South Side.

Date: April 30th – May 1st, 2011

Time: 4 PM Saturday to 2 PM Sunday – Art All Night!

Location: Iron City Brewery, 3340 Liberty Avenue

Price: FREE!

Art All Night is a grassroots event staged by an all-volunteer crew. A joyful celebration of the arts and community, the show grows in popularity each year, bringing thousands of people from all over the region into Lawrenceville.

In 2010 Art All Night Lawrenceville featured work by 1189 artists and was attended by over 12,000 guests.

DJ/Video Installation Schedule
Video will run from dark until early Sunday morning. Submissions from Art All Night artists will be presented in an “installation” format until the DJ’s start, and then mixed as performance art to the music. The DJ/Video environment offers an alternative space to enjoy the all night event, visitors can view the installation from inside or outside the Iron City Brewery.

• 12:00-1:30am Solid State Soul (Deep House)
• 1:30-2:30am DJ Marra (Psytrance)
• 2:30-3:30am DJ Omar Abdul (Hip Hop, Funk, Electro)
• 3:30-4:30am DJ C-Town (Afrobeat, World)
• 4:30-5:50am DJ N8 the Sk8 (Indie Electronic)
• 7:00-11:00am Hear Me Project (Video/Sound from CMU’s Hear Me Project)
• 11:00am-1:00pm DJ Llamo Ska, 80’s, Soul

Saturday, May 14th from 10am to 4pm

Your ticket is the key to unlocking some of the most unique doors in South Side.

The South Side’s most unique residences and buildings will be available for self-guided walking tours.. From distinctly repurposed lofts and brand new condominiums to beautifully restored homes, each is a reflection of the owner’s own style and tastes. These homes tell a story not just through their unique architectural features but also the personal collections of art, family heirlooms, memorabilia, and travel treasures housed within.

Additional information can be found at the tour’s website.

Groupon is selling discounted tickets today for only $9!

Click here to buy discounted tickets today. There is a limited amount of Groupon tickets available. Such a great deal for a fun day in the ‘burgh!

Who: The Black Angels and SUUN
Where: Mr. Smalls
When: Wednesday, April 8; 8 PM

These guys are so great. I’m excited they are coming to Pittsburgh. The Black Angels are cool in their own right, but the one thing that gives them an even higher rad factor…they collaborated with UNKLE.

What: Liquid Sundays featuring Wise Blood, Wreckids, and Huck Finn
When: Sunday April 10; 6-10 p.m. (21+ event)
Where: J. Verno Studios, 3030 Jane Street, 15203 (South Side)
Price: $12 advance; $15 door, Order tix at www.showclix.com
Facebook Event: Click here
Past Photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/liquidsundays/pool/

www.LiquidSundays.com

Ticket price includes light appetizers and 3 drink tickets at the bar.

There will be a variety of local artists including:

• David Calfo (Wood, Resin, Steel)
• Kevin Rupert (Painting)
• Andrew Oh Ellis (Visual Art and Design)
• Rebecca Chiappelli
• Laura Mustio (Photography)
• Marcia Furman (Acrylic Paintings)
• Adalgisa Bosonetto (Contemporary Glass Mosaics)
• Live pottery showing by Marko Biddle

Some of the art for the event will be available for purchase from the individual artists.

“Liquid Sundays are a way for us to recognize the exceptional talent we have here in Pittsburgh, and to build connection and community around that reality” Ethan Harrington, an organizer for the event commented. “We are really excited to be hosting such a great lineup to launch this Spring event.”

Liquid Sundays is an art and music event that seeks to promote, engage and connect Pittsburgh’s dynamic art and music scene. It’s a quarterly event held at J. Verno Studios in the South Side.

This is one of Geekstar’s FAVORITE Pittsburgh events. Come support Pittsburgh’s music and art scene!