The Wiyos are Coming

I thought it was about time I (Aaron) contribute to this blog, and I want to spend my first post introducing you to, "The Wiyos". They spent the past summer opening for Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, and Willie Nelson. A concert I attended, but unfortunately arrived past their allotted playing time. Though, seeing the legend Bob Dylan himself made up for missing my opportunity to see this gem of a band in concert. The Wiyos are a group of musicians playing music that is reminiscent of 30's blues guitarists like Blind Willie and Lead Belly. They equip their sound with an upright bass keeping the back bone of the music, steel string guitars, piercing harmonicas, and finger picking blues acoustic guitar. The band is fronted by Michael Farkas. An eccentric man with an olive oil voice that sports a washboard for rhythm with horns and whistles attached to complete the ensembles' sound. I encourage you all to listen to their music at www.myspace.com/thewiyos. They are a perfect band to listen to if you are a fan of kazoos, harmonicas, blues, swing, 3-part harmony, and beat boxing. Their music is sure to take you to a better place. The band mixes the classic 30's blues/swing sound with contemporary influences such a rahzel. And no, I am not kidding. Their latest album "The Broken Land Bell" is riddled with beat boxing that compliments their sound surprisingly well. Check out their tracks "Promenade", "Dying Crap Shooter Blues", and "Stomp".
And dont forget!!! Lu-Lu has his show at the Shadow Lounge this Sunday. Sure to be a real crowd pleaser. Especially if you are a fan of Britney Spears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVhJ_A8XUgc Check the first line.

Stay Tuned for some Bearskin News.

Spoon's Transference Debuts Mid Jan. '10

Review: 4.5 of 5

The acclaimed indie band Spoon is scheduled to release their 7^th LP “Transference” January 19^th, 2010. Announced in late ‘09, Britt Daniel (Lead Singer, Songwriter) dropped a video tease for Transference, which for many gave the Spoon faithful, a sense of relief after bad reviews tainted their Got Nuffin EP Summer of ’09. Even though you will find the ends of each spectrum when a band makes an initial release after such a praised and respected album “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” in 2007, Spoon kept a consistency to their credible sound and vividness.

Transference will still process Spoon’s familiar vocal harmony, major key tonality, basic rock structures and their unmatched brilliance in distorted recordings. The Transference tracklist will include:

01 "Before Destruction"
02 "Is Love Forever?"
03 "The Mystery Zone"
04 "Who Makes Your Money"
05 "Written In Reverse"
06 "I Saw The Light"
07 "Trouble Comes Running"
08 "Goodnight Laura"
09 "Out Go The Lights"
10 "Got Nuffin"
11 "Nobody Gets Me But You"

In less than 3 weeks you will be hearing much of this Austin, TX band over the airwaves, at festivals and if you graced with such an honor a stop at your city.

My Expected Favorite Tracks Include:

“Mystery Zone” - For Kill the Moonlight Hearted

“Who Makes Your Money” - The Deep Track

“I Saw the Light” - Girls Can Tell Lovers

“Trouble Comes Running” - Expected Hit Single

Shining light on the Shadow Lounge

In light of the upcoming Eller show, I wanted to give a quick profile on the venue.

The Shadow Lounge is located in the bourgeoning East Liberty neighborhood on the corner of Baum & S. Highland.  It shares the same block as the very tasty Abay Ethiopian Restaurant, Carnegie-Mellon's experimental restaurant/reality show known as The Waffle Shop, and a shady Taco shop that never seems to be open (perhaps it once belonged to a Mexican man who has long since vanished).

Weekly, the venue serves up wide array of musical genres, sure to please even the most sophisticated of musical palates.  Whether you are a fan of hip-hop or bepob, dance or trance, but especially if you are a fan of Eller Music, you should definitely come check it out.

You enter the lounge directly from the outside and come into a narrow rectangular room.  A low-set stage sits at the front end, allowing for an intimate concert experience.  The audience can get up close and personal with the artists.  On the opposite wall is a bar.  Sorry kids, alcohol is readily available, making this an over 21 show.

In between the stage and the bar is a viewing area where the patrons can mingle, drink, listen and watch.  There's a sprinkling of chairs and even a well-worn couch along the wall for those who need to rest, or kick back and play a game of chess.

If you aren't doing anything on the evening of January 31st, come down to the Shadow Lounge and hear some sweet tunes.  It's going to be exactly like that scene from 8 Mile, but way better.

One last thing, when you buy your tickets online you have the opportunity to specify that you are coming to the show to see Eller.  This is better for the artist because it lets the Shadow Lounge know that he can draw a crowd.  So don't wait to buy your tickets at the door.

Eller Album Release Party Announced

(Pittsburgh, PA) January 2nd, 2009. Luke Hoey (Lead singer, song writer and guitarist) from Bearskin is officially releasing his solo debut album from his "Eller" project. This album is subject to release during his solo show on January 31st @ The Shadow Lounge in Pittsburgh.
(Buy Tickets Here)

When you think of Bearskin, it's hard not to chuckle from their vibrant and energetic performances on stage but all and all their music obtains this rich sense of quality and music-ability. With Luke making this transition to a solo creation he hasn't forgotten his roots. If anything the Eller album is a testament that his ability is only getting stronger with each day. The album obtains a various mix of soul, folk, ambiance and rich goodness.

Stay tuned later this month for an interview podcast with Luke and a special sneak peak of the Eller Album.