©2012 geekstar.com | Robot Repair Shop, Pittsburgh PA

WATERS opened the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah show with a stellar performance. I’m a huge fan of their debut album, Out in the Light. The band exuded energy and purposefully engaged the audience. It was so refreshing to see a band who sounded amazing live (not just on their recorded album) and who absolutely seemed to enjoy performing. I’m sure a large portion of the audience was there to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, since they have a large following, but in my opinion WATERS stole the show.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah also put on a great show. My friend and I wished they had a bit more energy, but their musi sounded polished and the band was tight.

Mr. Smalls has received a bit of a revamp. My friend and I were greeted at the entry by one, very friendly manager. He informed us that the venue now serves hot food included BBQ. This was perfect since I had just traveled from work and an event at the Warhol. One veggie burger please! The burger was delish, especially topped with what the chef (see below) calls ‘Badger Sauce”. Super yum and cheap!

This photo pictures the hot dog my friend ordered. I have to say the cool edgy photo effects makes the hot dog look old and let’s be honest, gross. However, it was a specialty dog topped with strawberry jam and swiss cheese. Yes, you heard that right. My friend loved it (she’s a foodie)! She talked several other concert-goers into purchasing one too!

© 2011 geekstar.com | yes, i carved this most rad pumpkin. rawr!

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

© 2011 geekstar.com | “pop it like it’s hot”

photo © 2011 geekstar.com | as seen at “art all night lawrenceville 2011″

The theme was Andy Warhol, the Factory, the 60′s, psychedelic…you get the picture. The verdict is that Evaline’s annual Halloween Party was a blast! Here are some photos of some of my favorite costumes from the evening. Enjoy!

Add Evaline Bloomfield as a friend on facebook.

Click on any of the photos below to view full-size, leave a comment, or share on Twitter or Facebook!:

Last night Joseph Arthur played an intimate set at LiquidSundays.com. Joseph Arthur has been one of my favorite artists for nearly ten years. It was the fourth time I’ve seen him live in concert and by far one of my favorite shows to date. Joseph incorporates live looping into his sets where he creates layers and layers of interesting vocal and instrument samples. This creates an amazing and unique concert experience. He also created a large painting while performing on stage. He typically only incorporates art into his shows at venues where he already has a close relationship. So this was an unexpected but appreciated addition to the show. He finished the concert by performing an impromptu acoustic encore while sitting on the merch table surrounded by family and fans.

All photos © geekstar.com:

Who: Low Water, Harlan Twins, Lohio

When: Friday, April 30; 9 PM (21+)

Where: Brillobox (4104 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh)

Price: $6

Low Water:
Indierockcafe sez…http://www.indierockcafe.com/labels/Low%20Water.html

WFUV’s Band of the Week! http://thealternateside.org/news/2009/mar/24/local-band-week-low-water/

BNAC Music Blog: ”Twisting the Neck of The Swan” showcases the type of ambition and obvious love for music that so often is lacking in today’s current musical climate.”

Harlan Twins:
Click here to view photos from the Harlan Twins concert at the Never Bloomfield (geekstar.com)

Midlake was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this band play live. There were four guitarists on stage at all time which created a layered ethereal sound. I was very impressed by the talent among all the band members. Pretty much every musician played multiple instruments from flutes, to recorders, to keyboards, to percussion. There were always a minimum of two musicians singing at one time to create the harmony that is Midlake’s unique throwback sound. Anyways, check out the video below to get a taste of the concert. I only had my little point and shoot camera but here are a few photos from Monday’s show. I definitely recommend seeing Midlake if you have the opportunity. I was actually very surprised that show wasn’t more packed. I’m not sure if it was due to a lack of advertising or lack of radio airplay on local indie stations. I thought it was a shame more people didn’t come out to the concert. They were that good.