Tag: Music

Review: El Ten Eleven – they did infact begin at Eleven

watsonsauce

While many people were cheering on the Victorious Wolverines on Saturday night (Go Blue!) a crowd of music enthusiasts traipsed across Ann Arbor to flail and bounce to El Ten Eleven’s masterful instrumental compositions.

El Ten Eleven have been creating music since 2002. An LA based “indi or post – rock” group with Kristian Dunn on a fretless bass or 1977 Carvin guitar/bass doubleneck with loop pedals and various methods of sound modulation and Tim Fogarty keeping the beat on electric drums, acoustic drums and drum pads.

This duo are, in my personal opinion, some of the most talented musicians and composers working in music today. Their songs are heavily layered with contrasting melody, harmony and rhythm. singular pieces can range from 5-15 minutes in length and time seems to slide right on by as Dunn and Fogarty weave their way from melody to melody.

The Blind Pig is a perfect venue for this group. The small space, intimate proximity to the artist and one’s fellow audience members, creates a relaxing yet thrilling experience of the brilliance these musicians bring to the stage. El Ten Eleven performed at the Pig last fall as well. There were many returning fans as well as some who had only explored BandCamp and SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/elteneleven) to experience a taste of what these musicians are capable. Each walked away from this event in awe of the talent, dedication and musicianship of El Ten Eleven.

Video: El Ten Eleven \"Living on Credit Blues\"

Review: Akron/ Family

watsonsauce

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Akron/ Family. Turns out they are a lot like “El Ten Eleven” in the way they just play for long periods of time. Each song was about ten minutes long, which wasn’t a problem, their sound is easy to zone out to.
With a combination of drums, bass, guitar, keyboard sound manipulation and vocals, there is a lot to listen to. Unfortunately the Blind Pig has a habit of raising the volume on instruments too high and not equalizing the vocals, so they get swallowed. The nice thing about Akron/ Family is that their vocals only added to the ambiance of the over-all sound. It was annoying not to hear the lyrics though.

This was one of the more relaxed shows I have been to at the Blind Pig. It was a nice, chill crowed.

Preview: Akron/ Family

watsonsauce

I don’t know this band all that well. Was introduced to them back in high school, around 2007.

their sound can be a bit hard on the ears…. but ya know, it’s that time of year.

http://akronfamily.bandpage.com/

TICKETS:
http://www.songkick.com/concerts/15375399-akronfamily-at-blind-pig

PREVIEW: Friars’ Concert

Kayla Silverstein

One of the University of Michigan’s most beloved a cappella groups, the Friars will present their 57th annual Best Concert Ever, Friday April 19th, 8pm in Rackham Auditorium. Wowing us with their vocals, humor, and terrible dance moves, I’m sure they will not disappoint. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults. Hope to see you there!!

REVIEW: UM Men’s Glee Club Spring Concert

Kayla Silverstein

As always, UMMGC left it all on the stage last night at their Spring Concert in Hill Auditorium. The performance was spectacular and their director, Dr. Eugene Rogers, should be thoroughly congratulated for a job well done. The precision with which those men perform is absolutely admirable. While I was listening, I couldn’t help but remark how all of their faces expressed so much joy in being on stage and performing with their fellow clubbers. It was fantastic.

A distinct highlight of last night’s performance was the Friar’s performance just after intermission. The Friar’s is the Men’s Glee Club’s a cappella group, a small, auditioned subset of the larger group. They wowed us away with their utter hilarity and charm – I know I wasn’t the only girl swooning when they hit those high notes.

My favorite song of the night by far was the Harriet Tubman song in the second half. A spiritual crying, “Harriet Tubman didn’t take no stuff!” – it was uplifting, inspiring, and, in my opinion, an accurate portrayal of the amazingly courageous woman she was. They had Robert Hurst, renown bassist and professor at the UM School of Music, Theatre, & Dance, play on the bass alongside a fantastically rhythmic drummer. It was absolutely awesome.

Job well done to the Men last night of UMMGC and (shameless plug) if you liked what you saw last night, be sure to check out the UM Women’s Glee Club, Sunday April 21st at 4pm, Hill Aud as well as the upcoming Friar’s concert next Friday.