Cleopatrick: Not A Bummer

While their debut album might be called “Bummer”, I can guarantee you after watching their concert that Cleopatrick is anything but that. This is one concert you better attend because missing it would be missing something close to a core memory.

The moment I saw that this band was coming to NYC I knew I had to end my two year retirement, pick up my camera, and go back to reporting on concerts. As a Canadian hard rock group there was no one this Minnesotan could have been more excited to listen to seeing as everyone seems to think all Minnesotans and Canadians are related. Let me give you a rundown of the night!

Pulling up to the Music Hall of Williamsburg I waited in line, chatting up some of concertgoers. To my surprise this concert marked the first one since the start of the pandemic for many. Leading me to the conclusion that a concert I knew would probably be good was going to be significantly better than priorly expected. After entering, I set up shop as there was no photo pit (somewhat terrifying for a concert photographer).

Finally, the clock hit 8:30pm and Ready The Prince took the stage. Unfortunately for me I had minimal exposure to their music prior to seeing them live. This is a mistake, you should listen to all of their music. It was only my loss. I’m convinced that although everything they’ve recorded sounds pretty epic that their live performance knocks it all out of the water.

Not a single thing was off from their sound to their stage presence. Important to note that whoever works their sound is on another level because the music was loud, the instruments were blaring, but I could still make out all the words that were being sung. Anyone who goes to a good amount of rock concerts knows this balance is rarely achieved.

The crowd was genuinely a little sad once their set ended, but was quickly consoled once reminded that it meant that Cleopartick was set to take the stage shortly. Fortunately for us, they did not leave the audience waiting once the clock hit 9:30pm.

I’ve seen my fair share of duos perform and they definitely fall in the upper tier as far as showmanship goes. The set was skillfully crafted with Victoria Park serving as the perfect opening and Great Lakes making the perfect finale. Not going to lie, there are times where I get tired at concerts and can’t wait for them to just kinda end. This was the opposite.

They played fifteen songs and it felt like I’d been there all of five minutes. Shame on them for ending things on time and playing five songs over what was released on their album. We really ought to make them release another so I can peer pressure the audience at one of their concerts into getting them to play two albums back to back.

Highlight of the night had to be when they played one of their most popular hits, Hometown. The entire crowd was going wild. Everyone was singing the lyrics at the top of their lungs. All of us were jumping. I doubt you could have found a single person having a bad time. So yes, you need to make time to fit this concert on your schedule… and make it quick. Due to COVID-19 the band has had to cancel some of their shows so if you live in Boston, Washington, Philly, Pittsburgh, Ferndale or Grand Rapids pencil them it for all of those who won’t have a shot at seeing them. For more info on tour dates click here!

Sign Me Up For Camp Superdope!

I wish the summer camps I’d gone to as a child were as good as Two Friends and Matoma’s Camp Superdope! It’s been two days since the show and my feet still hurt from all the jumping and dancing.

Win and Woo started out the show and did a great job prepping the audience for the night ahead. While only Woo was present, he did an amazing job hyping everyone up. The crowd was especially into duo’s hit, Chicago, a danceable song with a killer hook, “There’s not enough wind in Chicago to blow this over”.

Two Friends was next to take the stage. They came out with a bang, bringing incredible energy that they somehow managed to maintain during their entire set. When watching DJs and artists that rely heavily on electronic components to their music, it is oftentimes more difficult for the audience to connect with the performers as there is a booth or table situated on an elevated platform, creating a barrier of separation. These concerts are much more about dancing and enjoying the music with friends rather than tuning in to what the artist is actually doing on-stage. I noticed, however, that while everyone was enjoying the music with their friends they were clearly still paying attention to what Eli Sones and Matthew Halper were doing onstage.

Their set was incredibly upbeat and danceable to the point where you just couldn’t stop even if your feet hurt. I heard audience members claiming they’d take a quick break from jumping around after the current song ended only to hear them scream in excitement and proceed to continue dancing as the next track began to play. Other highlights of their performance included water guns and inflatable balls along with a special guest appearance from Sam Adams.

Matoma closed the night with an equally amazing set. The crowd was fully engaged and there appeared to be no drop in energy from one set to the next. Tom Stræte Lagergren’s set was incredibly impressive as most of the music he played was relatively new releases. As many artists rely on playing popular crowd-pleasers to keep the audience engaged, Tom’s strategy was incredibly risky. It clearly paid off though, with most of the audience members staying at the venue until the very end of the show, clearly showing Tom’s skill as a musician.

Highlights from his set include his remix of September by Earth, Wind & Fire and his rendition of Dance Monkey. He closed out his set with “All Night”, showcasing his talent on the keyboard. I’ve been to several pianists’ shows and I question if they were nearly as good as Tom. It appears there’s really nothing he can’t do.

All in all, the night was a clear success and well worth the sore feet. For anyone debating on purchasing a ticket for future tour dates, I’d advise buying them immediately. You won’t regret dropping the money for an unforgettable night.

For the entire Matoma photo gallery click here

For the entire Two Friends photo gallery click here

KATE NASH TEACHES US THAT YESTERDAY WAS FOREVER

“And in case you have any rage inside because I do, let’s face it head-on. It’ll be like group therapy!” belted Kate Nash during her show last night at the Royale in Boston. Nash is currently on her North American, Yesterday Was Forever tour. The album that the tour is named after was released on March 30th and if you have yet to listen to it, you’re missing out.

Walking into the venue, it was clear fans were ready for Nash. As I was prepping my equipment I heard one young concert-goer share, “This is the best day of my life. I can’t believe I’m here, I can’t believe she’s going on soon, I can’t believe this entire night is happening!”

It’s no surprise her music has had such an impact on so many lives. She’s got songs discussing mental health, songs talking about feminism, and songs about being yourself. Whether you’re old and grey or young and naïve, one of her songs will have a message you can personally relate to. Don’t believe me? The audience distribution last night was filled with people of all ages. I watched a married couple dance together in the back and some twenty-something girls belt the lyrics to “Merry Happy”. Regardless of the large spread in ages, everyone was having a wild time.

The opener, Miya Folick, started things off with a bang. Her vocals were a nice mix of smooth/jazzy and gritty hard rock. She commanded with some killer moves and guitar playing. Her band was equally amped up and left the audience buzzing after their set. As I sat talking with one girl after the set she mentioned, “Miya totally gave me that vibe of the character Julia Stiles plays in 10 Things I Hate About You. You know? With the whole feminist rocker vibe.”

Her song “Dead Body” discusses someone’s refusal to be silent after experiencing sexual assault. It’s a song with a powerful message and skillfully crafted lyrics like, “It’s my sunny disposition that you liked / You poured me coke and vodka / Drink it baby, be nice / And you knew you would get away / So you didn’t try to hide.” Although a dark song, Miya deserves massive applause for using her platform to discuss issues that plague many people.

After leaving the stage it was Nash’s turn to engage the audience. She bounced on full of energy in sparkly fishnet stockings and an oversized green Bruins jersey. Nash spent the entire concert jumping from each side of the stage, making sure to interact with everyone. Her band was vibing, there were smiles all around. Much like Miya, Nash also uses her platform to discuss important issues. Before her performance of Musical Theatre, a song about mental health, she took the time to share “there’s no shame when you put a sling on a broken arm, so why is there shame when there’s a broken mind?” It provided deep insight into society’s mental health misconceptions and left the audience cheering.

As far as repertoire goes, Nash made sure to include classics like “Agenda” but also put emphasis on her newer content. Her energy persisted throughout the entire show and I left amped up with less of a voice than I had at the beginning of the night. All in all, it was a fantastic show and I would highly suggest purchasing tickets if given the chance.

For the entire photo gallery click here

WHY DON’T WE: THE NEW TEEN HEART THROBS

First off, it needs to be acknowledged that Why Don’t We managed to sell out a show on the same night as a Red Sox game against the New York Yankees. This is a massive feat as the House of Blues in Boston is right across from Fenway Park, Boston is first and foremost a sporting city, and the Yankees are a major Red Sox rival. Nevertheless, they did it!

Entering the House of Blues, I was shocked to see that the audience was made up of strictly teenage girls. When I say strictly teenage girls, I mean that throughout the entire venue at a sold-out show I saw maybe thirty individuals above the age of twenty. Furthermore, all the individuals of adult age were parents of the teenagers. They spent the night on the side near the bar or in the back, sitting on the floor. They were there because their daughters had dragged them to see Zach Herron, Jonah Marais, Jack Avery, Daniel Seavey, and Corbyn Besson. This just goes to show you that not all heroes wear capes. I and the other photographers present in the pit could not stop discussing how we wished our parents had loved us enough to take us to a concert they themselves has little interest in seeing. This was also a bittersweet moment because at twenty years old, I realized as I looked out at the crowd that I was no longer a child.

In short, Why Don’t We has mastered the two most crucial things that allow musicians to make it big. They’ve developed a strong following and an incredibly specific target audience. This became evident before the opener, EBEN, walked on stage. Although no music was playing, the entire audience began singing the entirety of Why Don’t We’s single, “Trust Fund Baby”.

On the topic of the opener, man was he good. Most artists try to develop complex lighting patterns for their shows. EBEN kept it simple with plain white lights and strobes. This meant it was easy to capture amazing shots of him as he commanded the stage. It also meant the crowd was easily able to focus on him as an artist and his performance. He kept the crowd entertained, with killer dance moves and solid vocals. His song, “LAMBO”, was comical as it discussed not having money and wanting it. It was something pretty much any college kid could relate to. Additionally, after listening to the released version, I have to say his version performed live was much better than the recorded track. To sum up EBEN, he’s an electric performer who’s sure to improve his trade as he gains experience and practice.

After twenty minutes of waiting, Why Don’t We took the stage. I was incredibly glad to have brought my earplugs because the cheers from the crowd were deafening. I’ve been to countless concerts and never have I been so nervous about the preservation of my eardrums. Their entrance was very well planned with the lights flashing the outline of each member’s profile. However, once the show really started I felt as though the occasional strobe lights that flashed went overboard as they were at eye level with anyone in the front, aka the photographers and first few rows of fans. It was slightly distracting. However, their vocals and flow of their set were spectacular. There was a nice mixture of upbeat songs and ballads. From what I could tell, no one missed a note. Additionally, the costume changes were well planned. The audience of ladies couldn’t contain themselves when the five members walked on stage in suits. The only other criticism I had for Why Don’t We’s performance was the choreography.

It seemed over choreographed. Every second of every song seemed to have a beat. Don’t get me wrong! This isn’t necessarily bad, it’s far better than artists who stand and sing without doing much of anything. My only wish was that there had been more opportunities for organic movement. I took time to research the group before attending their concert to ensure that I understood their vibe. These guys are hilarious and full of energy. I felt as though the choreography caused things to fall a little flat during a few moments in songs. Choreography makes things tricky (especially when it’s group choreography) because it requires a lot of thought in order to complete the movements in sync. The excessive choreography resulted in moments where the boys appeared to be too focused on remembering the moves rather than feeling the music. Again, don’t take this to mean that they were insincere. From the songs where the movements were less complicated you could tell that they resonated with their music and the messages it was sending. It was witnessing those moments that made me wish that the choreography played a less important role in their set.

To conclude, Why Don’t We and EBEN provided fans with a lovely night of music. From the special night they created, it’s clear that they value their fans and care about giving them a night they’ll never forget. As far as artists go, I’m incredibly interested to watch Why Don’t We grow as a group and can’t wait to see what they accomplish in the future.

For the full gallery of photos click here

G-EAZY HAS NO LIMIT

The first time I came to Boston I played the Middle East Upstairs. There was like 80 people. I’m so grateful to come to Boston and stand on this stage and perform this sold-out show” yelled Gerald—better known as G-Eazy—during his show at the Agganis Arena. This venue contains 7,200 seats, a far cry from the first time he played Beantown. It’s a true testament to Gerald’s accomplishments during the past few years. He’s a real hustler.

The show itself was a hit. However, there were a number of difficulties upon arriving at the venue. The first issue was finding press passes to actually enter the event. The tickets’ location seemed to change with each staff member we talked to. This problem was exacerbated by the fact that the schedule sent out to press covering the show was an hour late. In fact, most of the press missed the first opener, Anthony Russo. Despite the frenetic start, everything was smooth sailing once we got inside.

Marco Anthony Archer, better known as Phora was the first to meet the criticism of the photographers and writers. A rapper from California, he started out as a tattoo artist before turning to music. While his stage presence was subpar, his lyrics were thoughtful and well put together. His song “Fake Smiles” was especially impressive with lyrics such as, “But, we hate ourselves because we run from the people we love / And we all hold on to the past ‘cause we miss what it was.” It was incredibly relatable. The impact of his verses left the audience in silent thought. His style of music is defined by producers Eskupe and Anthro Beats and rappers J. Cole, Hopsin and Logic. Leaving the stage, he belted one last message into the microphone, “I’m just a human being. I come on this stage and don’t know how y’all gonna react to me. Thank you!” In short, Phora is a relatable artist whose only need for improvement lies in his stage presence.

Trippie Redd was the next to take the stage. Dressed in a downright absurd number of chains, one questioned how he was able to bounce around with such ease. He swagged his way up to the stage followed by a large hype crew of at least six people. Many were stuck wondering what their purpose was as they seemed to be bodies stuck in the background. Originally born Michael White IV, he’s relatively new to the scene with his first EP released in 2016. Redd’s entrance consisted of him walking out and amping up the audience with a recording yelling, “Fuck Donald Trump! Fuck Donald Trump!” His set was explosive and he definitely took control of the stage. However, he spent a large portion of the first three songs dousing the front row of general admission and the photographers in the pit with water. Additionally, his security was less than pleasant when Redd attempted to break the barrier and interact with the crowd. Many photographers were pushed rather harshly and a few even caught a stray elbow or two. Nevertheless, this was a small bump in the road. Redd’s set consisted of high energy songs and a psychedelic projection on the screen behind him, constantly lit up with images of burning skulls and crosses

Finally, it was time for G-Eazy to take command of the stage. Initially, audience members were less than pleased with the somewhat long set strike and setup that needed to take place before Gerald could hit the stage. This was largely due to audience anticipation. Gerald’s music has gained immense popularity over the past few years, and diehard fans can rap just about every song. The moment the lights dimmed the displeasure in the audience completely disappeared. G-Eazy bounced on stage, and before the first song was even finished an eager audience member threw her bra onstage. Gerald was nice enough to hang it on the mic stand.  For the most part, the show was made up of tracks from his new album The Beautiful & Damned. It was divided into three sections with the following apt names; Act I: The Beautiful, Act II: The Damned and Act III: The Encore. The stage setup was very much worth the wait. It allowed for projections to be played across white scrim. The scrim could be left either opaque or allow for the audience members to see Gerald’s band in the back.

There was also a costume change. G-Eazy entered in an all-black ensemble finished off with a black leather jacket with an embroidered white skull on the back. Before beginning his song “Leviathan” he did a 180, changing everything from his pants to his jacket to all white. The color choices were interesting considering black was used for the beautiful portion of the concert and white was used for the damned section of the show. Perhaps this was G-Eazy poking fun at the traditional association between white and images of angels and purity. Regarding the music, the show was nothing short of spectacular. Gerald’s fans are so dedicated the show could have almost gone on without him. They know every word. At one point, the audience erupted into loud cheers after his song “Buddha”. Instead of quieting down after the initial cheer, volume level only increased. It seemed that Gerald was at a loss for words, flashing the audience a heart with his hands and bowing down to them. He also threw out, “Is it okay if I call Boston my second home? If I was able to speak to past-me and if I told him we sold out an entire arena or that we sold out a fucking tour or that Donald Trump was president he’d say ‘Fuck that’”.

Nothing seemed to die down during the encore. Gerald decided to crowd surf. How he managed to return to the stage so swiftly remains a mystery as the entirety of general admission surged forward, reaching out to touch this rap legend. Additionally, he played two of his biggest hits, “Him & I” and “Me, Myself & I”, during this encore. This forced his fans to wait until the bitter end to hear some of their favorites. He made up for it by chucking one of his black vans into the audience for one lucky spectator to take home. At the end of the day, G-Eazy is a mastermind with his tour setup and a genius when it comes to crafting meaningful music. Although his US tour is almost over, there are still opportunities to witness him is his element in Europe. If given the chance to watch one of his live performances, take it. You certainly won’t regret it.

For the full photo album of the concert visit this website

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JUDAH & THE LION MAKE FOLK COOL AGAIN

Saturday night was unlike any concert I’ve ever experienced. For starters it was folk, a genre I   listen to, but had yet to see live. Furthermore, Judah & The Lion was far from normal folk. Sure, Nate Zuercher was rocking the banjo and the mandolin was being strummed by Brian Macdonald, but hip-hop beats and killer covers from “Booty Wurk (One Cheek At a Time)” to “Mr. Brightside” also made an appearance.

The opening acts were also insane and by far some of the most talented openers I’ve had the fortune to listen to. Embarrassingly enough, when it came to both opening acts, Tall Heights and Colony House, I was under the impression that I’d never heard of their music. Both of the groups are in fact on my Spotify playlist and have written songs regularly streamed from my phone. I am rather ashamed of this fact and advise you not to make the same mistake as I did and learn their names and music before you too find yourself in this embarrassing situation. You’re bound to hear them on the radio at some point.

Tall Heights is an electro-folk duo based out of Boston, Massachusetts. Made up of Tim Harrington (singer/guitarist) and Paul Wright (singer/cellist), they are show-stopping. For a photographer, the lighting made it difficult to get that “wow” shot, but at the end of the day, one attends a concert to listen to the music. Wright did a fantastic job of managing to captivate the audience while strapped to a cumbersome cello. He somehow pulled off the impossible, managing to make his movements look effortless and fluid and he moved about the stage. Both men have incredible singing voices as well, and their harmonies were perfectly in sync and in tune. Additionally, Tall Heights is incredibly creative. During their performance of “River Wider” they mashed snippets of “Feliz Navidad” into the mix. The tracks fit together so well one would have thought they made up one song had it not been for the fact that José Felciano’s single is so famous.

Colony House also “wowed” me beyond expectations. Their lighting was perfect for photographers and their energy made it easy to shoot stunning shots. Their music was even better. Often times, the drummer is kept in the back. However, Colony House put Will Chapman right up front with the rest of the band and his energy managed to pump the audience up tenfold. Scott Mills, must be one of the most talented guitarists I’ve ever watched. He spent the night switching through so many guitars I grew dizzy, mixing dancing in here and there to command stage left. Caleb Chapman sang with so much emotion it was impossible to focus on anything else but the music. His vocalization on “Cannot Do This Alone” was especially spectacular. The man on the bass, Parke Cottrell, also added his fair share of personality to the performance, staying true to his collected rocker vibe. Overall, it was an unforgettable performance.

Finally, it was time for Judah & The Lion to take the stage. They opened with a little speech and a countdown to their entrance on stage. It had everyone waiting in anticipation. I was incredibly confused when they first entered as they opened with the cover of “Booty Wurk”. There was twerking, synchronized dancing, and impeccable vocals. It took me until the next song, “Twenty-Somethings”, to realize that I was, in fact, watching Judah & The Lion. Their set was amazing. They made sure to play old crowd-pleasers like “Take It All Back” and also threw in their latest hit “Going to Mars”. There was crowd surfing, crazy sunglasses, and technicolour lights. They even brought members of Colony House and Tall Heights back on stage at various points of the night to continue pumping up the crowd. All in all, the three groups provided for an incredibly entertaining evening filled with dancing, jumping, and singing. At the end of the day, Judah & The Lion continue to break ground by making folk cool again. They prove that the banjo and mandolin don’t belong to a singular genre and can be used throughout to create something special.

To look for tour dates near you visit Judah & The Lion’s website

For more photos check out Patricia’s Website

For concert updates and live coverage visit ps_camera

NOT OUT OF LOVE FOR TWO FRIENDS

You might have heard of Two Friends, a DJ/producer duo consisting of Eli Sones and Matthew Halper. Based in Los Angeles, the pair has mixed everything from party classics like “Mr. Brightside” to jams by Tori Kelly, Lana Del Rey, and The Chainsmokers. They’ve also gained notoriety for their hour-long “Big Bootie” mixes. No matter which of their mixes you find yourself listening to, you can be sure you’ll be dancing and moving. However, while this is one of their goals, they are equally hopeful that their music will also resonate with their audiences on an emotional level. After listening to their entire library on Spotify, Echoes in the Industry has determined it does.

When it comes to influences, Two Friends is all over the place in the best of ways. They mix different elements across all genres from dance music, pop, alternative rock to hip-hop. This means Halper and Sones have done something special. By taking elements from so many genres, they manage to create music that attracts a spectrum of listeners and thus have a large audience. This is evident from their 877, 927 monthly listeners on Spotify and 149,000 followers on SoundCloud.

While their musical journey began during their senior year of high school, they’re still a relatively young group considering Sones is 24 and Halper is 25. As both attended college, Sones at Vanderbilt University and Halper at Stanford University, Two Friends has been a long-distance project. The group has only been working together in LA post-graduation since 2015. This makes their 2015 “Award of Independent Excellence” from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards and their 2017 “Top DJ Set” honors from SoundCloud all the more impressive.

Their song “Out of Love”, an original track, featuring Cosmos & Creature is their most listened to track on Spotify with over 10 million streams as of February 26th. It consists of a nice mix of both electronic and real instrumentation and clear flowing vocals. Somehow, the song manages to be both danceable and relaxing at the same time, an impressive feat. Additionally, the lyrics are cleverly crafted and incredibly relatable as most people have felt that feeling of wanting to be the more to someone than they are. Released on their Out Of Love EP in 2017, it’s clear we can expect great things from the duo as they continue their music making journey. Currently on tour, Two Friends had dates across the US. With danceable and relatable music, it’s clear The Just A Kid Tour is set to be an experience unlike any other.

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LOVELUSTING OVER NATE CHUNG PROJECT

Nate Chung might be one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. An acquaintance from work, I knew about his passion for music and that he’s the frontman of his band, Nate Chung Project, but I was completely unaware of how talented he and the rest of the group truly are.

A college band from Holy Cross, Nate Chung Project is made up of Nate Chung (vocals/guitar), Casey Dawson (guitar/vocals), Sean Horan (bass), Zach Sowerby (banjo), and Frank Dwyer (drummer). Sure, their covers are great, but it’s their original music you’ll want to take the time to listen to. Their repertoire is extensive. Although a young group still in school, they’ve already got an album and EP under their belt. The EP was just released today, February 23rd.

Talking to Nate, it’s clear this group is approaching the music industry from a different angle. “We know that our acoustic pop/rock music isn’t necessarily for everyone, but if we can find the people that appreciate it or connect with it in some way we absolutely want to. We don’t need to be famous to realize our vision for this project. Organically finding our audience and growing together is our focus now,” he shares. This is what makes them so special. Many artists get wrapped up in what feels like a race for fame because with fame comes money and money is what pays the bills. But Nate Chung Project seems completely comfortable staying true to their current vision and sound. “If in time I can build a career around my music and working with EchoMe that would be amazing. But for now, I’m pumped that my job with PwC just got moved from New York to Boston, where both EchoMe and my band are based.” 

The band is dedicated to making music: “As soon as Casey returned from being abroad in Sri Lanka I knew we should begin recording music together. I approached him after Chinese class one day suggesting that we should meet up in the studio to work through some originals. We began recording that week.” Recording originals within the first couple days of playing together? I think anyone can agree that’s impressive.

Their startup story is equally interesting as they’re supported by Holy Cross, a college in Worcester, Massachusetts.When Nate wasn’t able to enroll in a class he planned to, he began looking around and found something under the Interdisciplinary Department. “I came across this offering CISS496 Special Project and I just clicked on it and the description was exactly what I wanted it to be. It read, ‘For third and fourth-year students that have a passion or project outside of their regular academic curriculum,” he explains. In addition, Holy Cross supports them with the Ignite Fund, an endowment at the school dedicated to supporting student projects.

At the end of the day, Nate Chung Project in an incredible music group well worth checking out. Nothing they perform is subpar. Their original content is made up of well-crafted lyrics and their unique sound makes listening to them engaging, while their covers are incredibly well done as they change it up just enough to make it their own while keeping the integrity of the original songs.

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X AMBASSADORS PROVIDES A HAPPY HOME AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES

“One of the reasons we’re here tonight is to play you guys some new songs. This one’s called Happy Home,” shouted Sam Harris during Sunday night’s X Ambassadors concert at the House of Blues in Boston. For the record, Happy Home did not disappoint. neither did any of the other new unreleased music.

From everything that was played, I can tell you with certainty that the new album being crafted by X Ambassadors is set to blow everyone out of the water. Happy Home slaps you in the face with killer lyrics, soaring high notes, powerful belting, and foot-tapping beats. It’s incredibly danceable and profound at the same time. A rare find among both modern pop and modern rock.

Admittedly, I was debating on making this article and extended photo gallery when I first entered the House of Blues. Unlike most, I had work the next day and was craving sleep, but after watching Sam command the entire stage I was sold. There was no way I was leaving until the encore. He’s well aware of how to put on a captivating performance, entrancing audience members until the last chord of the final song.

Sam opened the show in a full suit and was left in a tank-top by the end of the third song. Sweat was pouring off his body from running back and forth across the stage. During one song alone he switched from singing, to guitar, to saxophone. Clearly a talented musician, it was hard to pry your eyes away from his electric performance.

However, his brother and bandmate, Casey, is equally talented and gave him a run for his money. Casey is impressive in his own right and an inspiration to many as he’s legally blind. He might be one of the most talented pianists I’ve had the fortune to watch and proves that sight is not necessary to master an instrument and jamming out. This was proven as he improved the intro to unsteady during his brother’s speech in which the song was dedicated to the victims of the Parkland shooting. There was not a single chord out of place or a clunky note that didn’t belong and Casey’s fingers flew across the keyboard. It was truly captivating.

Overall, I’d say the X Ambassador concert experience is well worth the investment. It’s always special to go to a show and come away having listened to unreleased music. This performance has the perfect mix of new material and old classics. The quality of the live vocals and instruments was beyond my expectations and the energy brought to the stage only improved the experience and made leaving the show early impossible. Additionally, from a photographer’s perspective,   the lighting of the show was done tastefully. It’s incredibly difficult to shoot concerts that have a heavy focus on blue lighting. Unfortunately, this is a current trend I’ve witnessed throughout shows I’ve shot this year. The X Ambassadors performance included a wide array of lighting from blues, to pinks, to white light. It was refreshing to see such variety in a performance.

GERALD “G-EAZY” GILLUM AND THE BEAUTIFUL & DAMNED TOUR

Gerald Gillum, better known as G-Eazy, hasn’t stopped breaking ground since the release of his sophomore album When It’s Dark Out. The album features his seven-time platinum single, “Me, Myself, and I”, a song discussing what comes with fame and the struggles faced while trying to make it to the top. With intelligently crafted lyrics and a relatable refrain featuring Bebe Rexha, it’s clear to see why this track became an anthem for many throughout 2015 and 2016.

Since his initial breakthrough, Gerald, a multi-platinum recording artist and producer, hasn’t stopped conquering the music industry. He’s been selling out shows worldwide, was named “Favorite Hip-Hop Artist” at the 2017 People’s Choice Awards, and he’s performed at countless award shows such as the VMAs.  The release of his latest album The Beautiful & Damned in December of 2017 established that he’s here to stay and he’s not slowing down. It debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and paints the picture of Gerald vs G-Eazy. The album is incredibly raw and gives the listener a glimpse of the personality behind the stage persona. With this ensemble of tracks, we see into the mind of a man who’s mastered the hustle.

The Beautiful & Damned boasts numerous collaborations, most notably with Halsey, A$AP Rock and Cardi B. It consists of a massive twenty songs, the most streamed on Spotify is “No Limit”.  In an interview with Angie Martinez, Gerald revealed the album’s concept, “The concept of it is kinda split in half and it’s two CDs, but for all intents and purposes its 20 songs, it’s just a long album,” he explained. “The concept of it is kinda like its about the lifestyle, ‘The Beautiful and Damned’. Like being a kid, having the dream of doing this, starting from square one, from outside looking in from without having nothing — to chasing this dream, and then all these years down the road of following this yellow brick road trying to get to where you’re going, one day waking up and being like, ‘Did it take me where I wanted to go?’ This fantasy of, like, sex, drugs, & rock ‘n’ roll is kinda clichéd, but it’s clichéd for a reason. It’s dark.”

Currently on tour, Gerald (G-Eazy) has upcoming tour dates across the US and Europe, more information on his website. It’s set to be an explosive event any music lover won’t want to miss. Notoriously known for his stage presence, the Beautiful & Damned tour is sure to wow audience members with an electric performance coupled with the rawness of Gerald’s latest album. You’ll be sure to leave the venue post-concert exhausted with unforgettable memories.

Social Media:

Instagram: 5.3 million followers

Twitter: 3.36 million followers

Facebook: 1.9 million followers

Spotify: 29.6 million monthly listeners

Soundcloud: 1.05 million followers

Website: https://g-eazy.com/

PHOTO CREDIT: Bobby Bruderle

YOUNGR: AN INTERVIEW

It’s Friday night, I’m exiting the House of Blues at the end of the Matoma/Youngr/Elephante concert in Boston and by pure luck manage to bump into none other than Youngr himself, or should I say, Dario Darnell. After talking with his tour manager for several minutes, he agrees to give us a five-minute interview. I can’t believe my luck.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Youngr, it’s your loss. His album, This is Not an Album, released January 5th, is a smashing success with stellar vocals, quality lyrics, and great beats. Check out this video for “Out Of My System”, it’s clear Youngr’s a talented artist with a vast skill set. How many other musicians can completely construct one of their songs single-handedly?

When asked about whether Youngr, was a stage persona or himself, Dario had some interesting insight stating, “It is me, but you know I think the stage me is a more extreme version of who I am.” From the five short minutes we were given to interview, it’s clear to see what he means. There was nothing fake about his interactions on stage with the audience, just as there was nothing fake about his answers to our questions. Youngr and Dario are one and the same. The difference is group size. To captivated hundreds for prolonged periods of time takes more flamboyancy. It’s much easier to form a connection with someone in a smaller setting. To be able to pull off forming a bond with each audience member is a skill only the most seasoned performers possess, and Youngr has it.

Interestingly enough, we have the lack of a growth spurt to thank for Dario’s decision to enter the music industry. “I was twelve years old and I used to play basketball for England under-sixteen. I was doing my thing and I was pretty tall. But, by thirteen, I’d stopped growing and I started playing the drums and realized that girls like drums. I was drumming along and thinking ‘This is way easier than playing basketball every weekend,” he shares. Who knows? Maybe had he kept growing we’d be watching him on the court instead of on stage. However, Dario still loves sports. He might not know the difference between zone and man on man defence, but he established that he’d want to be a professional Frisbee player were he not a musician. Unfortunately, I left my disk at home and was unable to test his skills, but with previous experience in sports, I can only assume he throws a mean backhand.

Additionally, his drink of choice pre-show is red wine, “Red wine big time, Merlot. Boom, hands down!” It’s not a surprise then, that when asked who he’d like to collaborate with, dead or alive, Youngr stated that Prince would be one of his top choices. After all, the King of Pop also fancied a little red wine on occasion and had an amazing stage presence.

At the end of the night, I was left wondering how to properly portray such a charismatic and kind artist in an article. It’s rare to meet a musician whose favorite memory on tour happens to be a moment during which everything seems to be going wrong. This particular moment was when Dario’s luggage didn’t manage to make the journey to Boston with him and the rest of his crew. “It’s my best memory because you’ve got to think on your toes. I’ve got to figure out how I’m going to make this show happen,” he ascertains. The show Friday night was nothing short of spectacular and highlights both Youngr’s skills in his trade and professionalism. He’s got shows coming up in Miami and Washington DC if you’re in the area check him out.

BØRNS SAVES OUR YOUNG BLOOD

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” perfectly sums up the mood at the Boston House of Blues last night. Strutting under the lights, this is what Mikky Ekko chose to roar at the crowd as he took the stage Sunday night to open for BØRNS. The performance was a show stopper. Walking to the venue, it was clear I was in for a night. The line extended past its usual point, snaking down one street, curving to another and passing the bridge. It was a first for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m used to the lines, but this line was at least 30ft longer than what I’m used to for the House of Blues. I don’t think I’ve ever been more thankful that press can skip lines. It was rainy and cold. Garrett Borns might have one of the most dedicated followings I’ve had the fortune to witness.

Doors opened at 7:00 PM. I entered around 7:15 PM. By 7:30 PM the floor was packed. Standing next to the stage, looking out at the crowd, it was clear this was a young audience of teenagers and young twenty-somethings. Eventually, the lights dimmed, signalling it was time to get to work.

For those of you who think you don’t know Mikky Ekko, you’re wrong. Remember “Stay” by Rhianna? That guy with the killer voice, that’s Mikky. Since his performance at the Grammy Awards in 2013, his music has only gotten better. His new single “Not The One”, is a jam anyone can connect with. It discusses wanting someone who doesn’t want you back. Everyone was sucked into his set as he belted, “I’m not the one/I’m not the one/I’m just the one you want for now.” It was a magical moment. His set was lit by mostly teal and dark blue lights with shocks of red and yellow, creating a welcoming atmosphere filled with bits of mystery, coordinating well with his soulful tenor voice. Clearly, Mikky loves his craft and loves his fans. Towards the end of his set, he jumped off stage and ventured towards the audience, not just touching their hands, but actually jumping into the crowd and remaining there until the end of his performance. He also spent time at the merchandise table post-show to greet fans, highlighting once again that he’s a down to earth guy, just looking to make music.

Next came Charlotte Cardin, a singer/pianist from Montreal. She was accompanied by Ben on drums and Matt on bass and synth. After announcing that she was going to be playing love songs and listening to her set I have to say she might just be the queen of love with a smooth jazzy voice and sensual stage presence. Charlotte was a crowd pleaser. Again, her lighting consisted of heavy dark blue lights, but she opted for an occasional smooth transition towards a magenta lighting. It added to performance, creating a relaxing vibe pleasurable to every audience member. Her song “Paradise Motion” captivated everyone with its interesting backing beat and her vocal range. While the verses consisted of middle range singing she spent the chorus soaring, leaving everyone feeling as though they were actually in paradise.

Finally, it was time for the main event. The audience was squashed as close to the barriers as they could get, waiting for BØRNS to take the stage. Screeches erupted the moment the lights dimmed. Everyone lost it the moment Garrett Borns waltzed on stage in his green suit and opened with “God Save Our Young Blood”. He wound up performing the entirety of Blue Madonna, his latest album, from start to finish. It was refreshing getting to hear a disk from front to back instead of the same old songs performed every tour due to their popularity. His lighting was all over the place in the best of ways. Lasers, strobes, deep blue lighting, fully lit white light. There was so much going on, but it all had a purpose and was all clearly tailored to the vibe of each song. Frankly put, Garrett might be the Mick Jagger of alternative rock/indie pop. He gives off major ambiences of this rock legend from the hair, to the way he commands the stage, to his dance moves, to his bold suit choices. Granted, they are not the same. Garrett Brooks just manages to embody all the positive characteristics found throughout the most seasoned performers, resulting in a truly captivating show. Its clear fans agree as they threw him drawings, flowers, and even a flower crown. As a whole, from open to close, this concert was a hit. Everything was planned out meticulously and done with purpose resulting in an unforgettable experience for every concert attendee.

MATOMA/YOUNGR/ELEPHANTE BRING THE HOUSE DOWN

“Let’s go Boston!” It’s 2:00am on a Friday night in Boston, Massachusetts. Sipping on a pink concoction given to me by Tom Straete at the conclusion of our interview, I’m stuck wondering how this night even happened. Rarely do I have to chance to meet a performer as kind and humble as Tom or should I say Matoma? Yep, that’s right. Matoma isn’t his given name, people call him Tom, and he’s just like every last one of us. Actually, he’s one of the most genuine people and hands down the most genuine musician I’ve had the fortune to meet during my time as a concert photographer/interviewer.

I was able to witness this first hand, post-show, as he took time to meet fans at his merchandise table. Unlike many performers, he’s not elusive. He took a special interest in a fan, Ronald Thompson, and brought him backstage to discuss the improvements needed in order to make concert-going and day to day activities more accessible for those in wheelchairs. There was nothing fake about this interaction and it was certainly done from the heart and not for publicity. This was just a man looking for a way to use his influence to help others. 

After watching this interaction, it came as no surprise that Charles, one of Tom’s crew, had to inform me post-interview that this string of shows is a climate positive tour. This means that Tom donates proceeds from his shows to effectively erase the carbon footprint caused during travel and performances. In fact, he goes above and beyond by donating more than enough to clear him of any environmental pollution. Few artists would do this, even fewer would do so without announcing it to the world. But, no one is here to read my raving review of a man’s character. You’re here for the music.

The concert itself was a hit. Sprinting through the cold, I grabbed my passes, skipped the line, and entered the venue as quickly as possible to have time to talk to my favorite security guard named Tony. I’ll be the first to admit that although I enjoy listening to EDM music it is not my first pick of concerts to report on. I find them difficult to shoot with the giant podiums and often times have a hard time connecting with the artists because of the separation caused by the podium. The first opener Youngr defeated all odds and left the audience jazzed and ready for a night full of music. 

Youngr, a artist from the UK, places emphasis on percussion. This should come as no surprise since he’s been banging on the drums since the end of his basketball career at the age of 12. He’s a blast to watch as he jumps around from bass to drums, to singing. Thrusting the mic stand into the air at one point during his performance, he kept the audience holding on to his every word and movement. He was explosive, a true man of the people. Fortunately, I was able to track him down post-show and convince him to partake in a five-minute interview. When asked who he wished he could collaborate with on a track alive or dead, he mentioned Prince. After witnessing him perform, I can only imagine that this track would be legendary as the king of pop’s influence is evident in Youngr’s performances. Furthermore, he takes things like a champ. The fact that his luggage didn’t arrive in Boston in time for the concert didn’t phase him, instead, he’s quoted saying, “it’s my favorite memory on tour thus far.” If that’s not a winning attitude, I don’t know what is.

After Youngr came Elephante otherwise known as Tim Wu, an EDM artist based in Los Angeles. His set featured heavy bass drops that left your insides shaking for minutes after his set. Filled with mixes of popular hits, he kept the audience moving their feet and amped them up further for the main act, Matoma. However, his stage presence was lacking as the podium put a real distance between him and the audience. Additionally, from a lighting standpoint, his setup was rather boring with a heavy focus on blue lighting throughout his entire set. However, at the end of the day, the music is what matters and in that regard the performance was amazing. The press spent far more time dancing together than taking photos.

Finally, after hours of waiting Matoma took the stage and blew everyone in the room out of the water. His opener was one of his new hits on an album to be released in May, “One In A Million”, promoting love and acceptance. In our interview when asked about the track, he stated, “it’s the story around the person that makes them unique. When people say ‘You’re one in a million,’ it’s not because it’s a phrase that’s cliché. I believe you’re actually one in a million.” The rest of the night consisted of well-known classics, among them “All Night” and “Old Thing Back”. Niku, Tom’s tour manager, was kind enough to allow me on stage to ensure the podium did not limit the integrity of my photographs. Standing on the side, looking out into the audience was a magical moment. To see so many people crowded on the floor dancing non-stop to the music around them made me realize how someone could go through the lengths of performing most nights and being separated from the people they love for prolonged periods of time. Take away the lasers, the confetti cannons, the strobe lights and you’re left with a man with a passion for music and desire to provide others with an unforgettable night.

First Aid Kid Folked It Up

“That was a song ‘You Are The Problem Here’, and we wrote that song out of anger and frustration of being afraid. We wanted to ask the perpetrators of those crimes questions like ‘What were you thinking?’ instead of asking the victims ‘What were you wearing?’ and ‘Were you drinking?’” First Aid Kit made a statement Wednesday night by tackling the issue of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry head-on. Shining a spotlight on the mistreatment of women across the globe through their song “You Are The Problem Here”, Klara Söderberg’s passionate speech while holding her cream Stratocaster showcased continued support for campaigns like the Me Too Movement. It earned roaring applause from the audience.

The Swedish folk duo, comprised of Klara and Johanna Söderberg, are currently on the US leg of their international tour. They gained international recognition in 2008 for their YouTube cover of the Fleet Foxes’s song “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”. Since then, they’ve released four albums, the latest titled Ruins. Showing up to the House of Blues on a cold, rainy, Wednesday night at 7:00 pm, I was greeted with a line snaking down the street. As part of press, we’re able to skip the hassle and enter the venue straight away. The length of that line, however, signifies First Aid Kit’s international popularity and the sense of loyalty and dedication fans feel towards the band. By 7:30 pm the venue was packed, though the concert started 30 minutes later.

The night began with LA-based singer/songwriter Van William, who recently released his debut LP Countries. Before his set on Wednesday, I found William at a table, selling merchandise and signing CDs. We discussed his upcoming performance and his new song “Revolution”, featuring the women of First Aid Kit. His trio commanded the stage. Kera spent the night jamming on bass and Brian Andrew Marquez was ever-present with the pounding drums. Folk as a genre is often perceived as simple, quiet and relaxing. Singers stand still, strumming their instrument of choice, but Van William was electric. He and Kera brought movement back into the folk/rock, hopping and dancing around the stage to songs such as “Never Had Enough of You” and Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl.” He’s a huge fan of Neil Young, signing his CDs with the quote, “Keep on rockin’ in the free world.”

Van William ended. We the photographers and journalists were left waiting on the side for the main event as the crew came forward to set up the stage. During this time, numerous fans came forward attempting to come into our segregated press area. The night was not easy for security. Eventually, after two or three fake outs First Aid Kit took the stage.

Klara was clad in a high-low red dress with ruffles, while Johanna took the stage in a shorter leopard print dress. Both were wearing black boots. They looked phenomenal. The music started and I was left more than pleasantly surprised. With all the vocal editing that can be accomplished in the studio, it’s rare to find artists that sound exactly the same as their recorded tracks during live concerts. First Aid Kit is one of these rarities. Klara and Johanna are even more impressive when considering the fact that they’re singing harmonies throughout the majority of their songs. That’s twice the likelihood of experiencing a hiccup. As someone with singing and duet experience, my ears were ready to pick up the slightest falter. Nothing. My eyes were also ready to watch two women stand in place, singing at me for an hour and a half as both girls played various instruments. Wrong again. First Aid Kit, like Van William, was electric. Bouncing around to jams like “The Lion’s Roar”, it was easy to dance in the crowd as Klara and Johanna danced on stage. To close the show there was even a sing-along. The two women quieted the audience before standing around a single mic with their backup band, ending with an encore made up of fan favorites. The concert was amazing and everyone in the audience was left folked up.

Cheat Codes: Rave or Concert

“If you like to have sex make some noise!”, screamed Trevor Dahl of Cheat Codes during their Saturday night concert at Boston College. While technically advertised as a concert by the Campus Activities Board, Cheat Codes’ performance would be more accurately labelled as a rave. With spazing strobes, bass drops, and dollar bills regularly shooting into the crowd, it’s no wonder the crowd became incredibly rowdy.

The trio that makes up Cheat Codes (Trevor Dahl, Matthew Russell, and KEVI) is currently on a world tour, but it played without any of its collaborating acts through the course of the night. As a result, the DJs

had to rely on remixes, hard bass drops, and most surprisingly, a lot of crowd interaction to make up for the lack of artists such as Demi Lovato and Fetty Wap. Over the course of the night, one of the three members, Dahl, stepped out from behind the podium to pump-up the crowd. The other two DJs also exited the podium on occasion, but Dahl went above and beyond by crowd-surfing, holding students’ hands, and tossing dollar bills into the audience. Whenever Dahl’s presence was impending, the audience reacted by swamping into the area. There was no escape.

The live performance varied greatly from their studio recordings. Cheat Codes’ recorded music is known for its distinguishing clean sound, upbeat vibe, and mild drops. It an easy listen for those that like electronic music and the DJ style. This weekend, they intensified their stage presence by relying on much harsher drops and remixes of popular songs. They played remixes of songs such as “Mask Off” by Future and “Peanut Butter Jelly” by Galantis intermixed with their own content. These remixes managed to hype up the audience more than their personal material.

The members of Cheat Codes were there to facilitate fun, energize the crowd, and leave audience members exhausted after a night of jumping around. As a whole, they were successful, though it’s unfortunate their remixes of popular songs seemed to do the job better than their own material.

An Interview: Matthew Griswold

A hero- that might be the best way to describe Matthew Griswold. “I fought in the battle of Ramadi, which was the most violent campaign of the whole Iraq War, so it certainly paid a toll on me. But one of the things I was very fortunate to have was music.” After leaving the U.S. Army in January 2009, Griswold turned to music and initially became a voice for the troops during a period of time when veteran suicide rates were at a record high. He now dedicates time each month to speaking to veterans at the Minneapolis VA about his experiences with music and music therapy along with other therapy methods and support tools available to them.

Griswold is a native Minnesotan who specializes in alternative folk music and is largely influenced by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen’s acoustic material. “I don’t necessarily try to write to preserve folk music like other people do,” he shares. Instead, he claims to use it as a resource to engage listeners by utilizing some of its unusual song characteristics. He’s is an independent artist with a publishing deal through Universal Music Publishing and claims, “right now I am one of the independent artists that believes the new wave of the industry is designed for more independent artists, so I try not to focus my career on the tactics that a major label artist would use.” These tactics are designed to appeal to the masses, which Griswold feels results in music that is often impersonal and results in a less personal relationship between the audience and the artist and their music.

When asked what he considers to be his greatest musical accomplishment he expresses that it would have to be having his song “She Is The Rose” featured in the season 2 trailer of BBC’s show Copper, “When they made the trailer, they made it custom made to the lyrics. The only audio in it was my song and all the scenes were being acted out to my lyrics”. This is a feat many artists could only dream of accomplishing. Sure, to have a song featured in a trailer is already a major feat, but to have a trailer designed around your lyrics takes this accomplishment to a whole new level. It provided Griswold with the affirmation that the importance he placed on lyrical composition was well worth the time and helped his song chart. “She Is The Rose” ended up gaining notoriety in 13 different countries. 

Surprisingly, this is not one of the reasons that “She Is The Rose” has become one of Griswold’s favorites. He claims it holds a special place in his heart because it was the song that got him his publishing deal, and was also his first set of lyrics where he walked away feeling as though he was a songwriter. “I’d written hundreds of songs before that, but there’s just something that happens when something really clicks and you know you wrote something special”, he shares.

The importance he places on his lyrics can also be credited with the reason he has no set date for new releases. As an independent artist, he’s never bogged down by deadlines and doesn’t have to deal with industry professionals constantly breathing down his neck. This allows him to create meaningful songs on his own time, while his publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing provides him with a steady stream of income to make up for these uncertain release dates. It seems to be a winning strategy as Griswold gets to stay completely true to himself, while still managing to create a living in an industry often seen as cutthroat.

As for getting started in the industry, Griswold credits the terrible economy the U.S. was experiencing as he exited the Army with helping him find his career path, “I wasn’t thinking to myself, ‘Wow I’m going to go find a job now.’ That wasn’t a possibility. My dad had been laid off. Everybody I knew who got out of college couldn’t find a job for the life of them, so in my mind, that wasn’t even an option. I had to figure out a way to make some money as I developed my songwriting capabilities, so I started gigging as much as I could because it was something I did a bit of when I was stationed in Europe.”

While Griswold does tour for the most part around the Midwest, he has plans to perform in New York City in March for any east coast fans looking to see him live!

Link to the Artist’s Website: http://www.matthewgriswoldmusic.net/

An Interview: Ro Ransom

For some musicians’ music is in their blood. That’s the case for Ro Ransom, the first of many artists to be picked for Sony Music and SamePlate Records’ collaboration. “I didn’t really have a choice. My parents both made music and they just brought me around it so early and I fell in love with it,” he shared during our interview.

The Mystery Boy hails from Harlem, New York, and is set to drop an upcoming EP titled Possessed. When asked what we can expect from this project he replied with, “You can look forward to a lot. The story you see is the different stages of a breakup. The different emotions you go through, the denial, the guilt, that point of moving on.”

These themes are evident in his latest release, “Wraith”, a track discussing carrying pain. While it’s written so that anyone can relate to the lyrics, Ro Ransom wrote the song on his prior experiences, “It was like you know me carrying a bunch of pain for a month and being drunk and high off everything for a month. That feeling of having to dig deep and find the ambition to you know fuck that chapter and move on.”

His sound mixes the modern with 90s/early 2000s hip-hop/R&B. It’s a fascinating pairing fresh hits with a throwback vibe, perfect for any party playlist. This all makes sense when taking into account that one of Ro’s biggest musical inspirations is Justin Timberlake himself.

From his current success, it’s clear music listeners around the world already love him. He’s been named one of Soundcloud’s Artists to Watch in 2018 and his single Prettiest was included in Time Magazine’s 5 Songs You Need To Listen To. Feats like these don’t come to just anyone and these achievements are exactly why Ro was deemed to be the perfect artist to start Sony Music and SamePlate Record’s partnership. “It feels amazing. I’m just grateful and flattered my name even came up in the conversation,” he mentioned when asked about the joint venture.

As far as his personality is concerned it’s clear from our conversation he’s got to be pretty fun to hang around. One of our favorite questions to ask during an interview is “If you were to describe yourself as a mixed drink what would it be?” Oftentimes, it takes several seconds to a minute for artists to pick their poison. Ro wasted no time exclaiming, “definitely a margarita. One thousand per cent. I’ve never had a question I knew the answer to immediately. I’m sweet, light and tasty, but I can still get you fucked up.”

He’s also got a pretty amazing hidden talent. Ro’s a great writer. “That’s just a piece of me that never gets exposed because it’s not really part of my job, but I definitely have super interesting takes on music, culture and art. Maybe one day I’ll write a book,” he shared during our phone call.

At the end of the day, Ro Ransom is an intelligent, hilarious, and multitalented artist ready to take the world by storm with his music. With so many trends from the past coming back into style, his old school sound and new school lyrics might just be what everyone’s been waiting for.

YOU’LL LOVE US THE DUO NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE

You might have heard of them since their appearance on the hit television show, America’s Got Talent. You might know them from the video that went viral in which they sing one of their earliest hits, “No Matter Where You Are”, during their wedding. Either way, odds are whether you remember their name or not, you’ve heard of Us The Duo.

Soon to be a trio with the birth of their child in the near future, Michael and Carissa Alvarado have set off on tour across the United States ready to blow people’s minds with their artfully crafted lyrics and killer harmonies. As far as concerts go, this is one you won’t want to miss because their set is jam-packed with just about everything. From slow ballads to music fit for dancing, Us The Duo has made sure to provide a little bit of everything.

Thursday night, they took the stage at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Walking into the venue forty minutes before the opener, Justin Nozuka, took the stage I could already tell this was a group with a dedicated fan base. A sizeable portion of the venue was filled with individuals vying for top spots at the front to watch the duo and their band.

As I walked around taking in the calming atmosphere of the venue equipped with everything from chandeliers to disco balls, I listened to excited fans rave about the group. “This is my third time seeing them in concert!” proclaimed one excited concert goer. She went on to explain that she’d gone as far as to see them in Rome as they toured with Pentatonix during her time studying abroad. I was tempted to ask her further questions. However, the lights were dimming, meaning it was time for me to photograph the show.

Unfortunately for me, I’d never heard of Justin Nozuka until the night of the show. This is a pity because had I known about his music he would have made an appearance on my Spotify playlists long before July 27th. His vocal range is astounding and his music makes for perfect relaxation or late night drive music. In fact, I was so impressed with Nozuka I found my way to the merch table after his set to purchase his latest record, Run To Waters.

The rest of the audience was equally as impressed with his vocal capabilities as I was. He had them clapping along by the end of his first song. One fan even went as far as to say, “Damn guy can sing! Can we pay him to stay on stage for a little longer?” By the end of his set, it became clear why Michael and Carissa had chosen Nozuka to open their show. He’d done an amazing job getting the crowd ready for the main act. Let’s just say I’ve very grateful I remembered the earplugs I wear when shooting photos for this concert.

Michael and Carissa didn’t help the noise situation either. They’re experts at getting the crowd to wait with anticipation. Their set opened with their backup band jamming quietly in the dark before Michael entered under blue lights. Finally, Carissa made her entrance as the lights exploded on the stage.

Their set was filled with numerous classics, covers, newer hits and a top-secret surprise well work the price of a ticket to the show. I watched in amazement as Carissa danced the night away as heavily pregnant as she was. She never missed a beat.

At one point the band and Michael went into a Mario jam, allowing both the bass player and drummer to showcase their talents. After the song was over Michael announced, “Yo I hit the keyboard so hard it broke a key!” It was a go hard or go home kind of night.

During their performance of “(Stop) Just Love” I watched a couple hold a poster that read, “Been together for six years because we just stopped”. This highlights the impact Us the Duo has had on the lives of their fans.

All in all, the duo’s performance at the Varsity Theater on July 27th stands as the best show I’ve had the chance to attend since the start of the summer season. I’d highly suggest grabbing tickets to anyone considering attending one of their performances during the rest of the tour. EchoMe is excited to follow Us The Duo’s journey as they proceed through their whirlwind adventure on America’s Got Talent. We wish them all the luck in the world when it comes to family and music.