Spune Threw a Christmas Party at Dada, and Even Grandma Got Drunk

www.telegraphcanyon.net

Club Dada was packed Friday night as people from all over the DFW area came out to watch a big show of some of the top bands from our area. The Spune Christmas Party consisted of two stages, patio and main stage, and showcased six local bands- Carlo Canlas, Bethan, The Fox and the Bird, Air Review, Datahowler, and Telegraph Canyon. It was like a big house party with all our drunk friends. I have never seen so many of my Fort Worth friends in Dallas at one time. The atmosphere was so refreshing. By the time we got there The Fox and the Bird were finishing up their set on the patio. The place was packed and Air Review was setting up their gear on the main stage. I had the chance to see Air Review back in October when they opened for Portugal. The Man at Granada, and I have to admit, I was really impressed. I was excited to see what they had to offer at a much smaller club. They didn’t disappoint. They even did a cover of The Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows” which was awesome and the sound was so powerful. Everyone around me had their heads down just nodding along to the psychedelic song. As their set came to an end, everyone made their way back to the bar to prepare for Telegraph Canyon to end the night.  All six members hit the stage and set up an array of instruments. Telegraph Canyon is known for their big sound- a sound  that seems to be influenced by folk-band Fleet Foxes and the power of Arcade Fire. With instruments ranging from a violin, guitars, bass, a xylophone, an organ, and drums, they filled the place with monstrous power. The sound really grasped the audience as the organ blared and engulfed frontman Chris Johnson’s strong, raspy vocals. Everyone was packed in and dancing around to the catchy drum beats and melodic violin, which during some songs was actually plucked, creating a more choppy-fast paced sound. Johnson busted out a harmonica half way through the set and played that thing like Bob Dylan did back in the old days- hands-free, standing up, while playing the guitar. The mood in the place was so cheerful. People were holding hands and singing along and dancing around. Some were jumping up and down to the beat, and when the sweet xylophone solo came everyone was clapping along. It’s nights like this, that remind us how awesome our local music scene is, and how important it is to keep it strong and alive. Long live Deep Ellum!

NEW BLACK KEYS SONG! CHECK IT NOW

Band of the Day: Metronomy

I was introduced to this band recently while drivng around  Dallas with my friend Sean. I like them a lot. They remind me of Phoenix- fun and dancey! They are from England and have been around for awhile now, and their first album was released back in 2006 Pip Paine (Pay the £5000 You Owe).

Their sophomore album Nights Out was released two years later and hit the number 6 spot on the NME- NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS “Best Albums” category in 2008.

Their third album The English Riviera has gained a lot of popularity in the U.S. in the electro/ new-wave music scene. Like Phoenix? Digitalism?

 Check them out:

November 12, 2011 Comedy Battle- Yes, I will be one of the judges!

COME OUT AND SUPPORT HILARIOUS LOCAL COMEDY WITH THIS BATTLE OF THE FUNNIEST.

Enter the promo code “funny” at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/205177 to get a discount on tickets. SEE YOU THERE!

DFDUBREPORT.COM: Beirut Live @ The Prophet Bar in Dallas 11.01.11

Prophet Bar Travels Through Europe with Beirut

Beirut

I honestly didn’t even know what Beirut looked like, but after I saw them take the stage on Tuesday night at The Prophet Bar, I realized it didn’t matter. Lead singer Zachary Francis Condon was nothing less than a young talented musician alongside a stage packed full of talented equals, playing instruments ranging from an accordion to a tuba. The Balkan-style band Beirut were a whirlwind of music. It seems more and more bands are adding members and incorporating new instruments, but Beirut has done this since the beginning of their existence.

To start the night, the band Ramesh, which consists of lead singer Ramesh Srivastav from the popular band Voxtrot, took the stage. Talk about members incorporating new instruments. Ramesh had about 8 people on stage each playing a different instrument- cello, violin, keys, and guitar to name a few. For such a big band, I honestly would have expected a bigger sound from them. Opposite of the ‘80s feel of Voxtrot, Ramesh were a little bland, and it was obvious the crowd was watching mainly to wait on Beirut. I’m just saying, there wasn’t a lot of enthusiasm in the air. Props to Ramesh for trying new and different things though.

Alas, the all-mighty explosion of beautiful sounds hit the stage. Beirut took the stage to a backdrop of soft lighting made possible by hundreds of Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling. They opened their set with a song off their new album The Rip Tide, and Condon belted out his lyrics, switching between vocals and trumpet throughout the song. Little did I know, Condon also plays the trumpet in between singing on almost every song, among other instruments. Condon pulled out his ukulele on the third song and sang with sweet words to a melody that would make a ballerina blush. I’m no ballerina, but I sure as hell felt like one dancing around to the sweet rhythms.

Beirut played “Postcards from Italy” and inspired the crowd to clap along and dance as they filled The Prophet Bar with an Italian gondola-ride vibe. Their next song “East Harlem” started off with a strong accordion solo that created excitement in the audience as fans cheered on. The atmosphere in the place became relaxing and gentle, as the lights hanging from the ceiling changed colors as the night progressed.

Beirut first took us back to their sophomore album The Flying Club Cup with their popular song “Nantes.” Condon sang, “It’s been a long time/long time now since I’ve seen your face,” as fans sang along. The lights danced as people swayed to the luminescent chords that each member strummed. Nothing competed, however, to “My Night With a Prostitute in Marseille,” the first song off their March of the Zapotec/Holland EP. It’s a popular song, and personally the first song I ever heard by them, with so much feeling and heart. Beruit ended their set with a song that took the audience to a deep jungle in the heart of Spain, “Cozak.” Although this ended everyone’s Eurpoean extravaganza with a one of a kind band, the memory of the trip will live on.