guitar rock

Music Park: Joe Satriani @ Lincoln Theatre — 4/2/16

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Joe Live - photo credit Jon LuiniClassic Joe Satriani (Photo Credit: Jon Luini)

For nearly two hours and 45 minutes, Joe Satriani took the rapt Lincoln Theatre audience on a sonic journey of rock guitar riffs and solo jams that mirrored the theme of his newest album, Shockwave Supernova. He styled the tour as From Surfing to Shockwave.

Joe started nicely with the new album’s self-titled song, which fired the crowd up. Days before, I had caught the Living Colour show at the Howard Theatre and between the two shows, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many middle-aged men grinning from ear to ear and moving like they could dance. (They can’t. And fine, don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of women and young people too, but they didn’t grin as big…)

Many of his song titles spark the imagination, describing space-age out-of-this world locations and adventures, like “Crystal Planet”, “If I Could Fly” and “Surfing With the Alien”.

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Music Park: Deep Sea Diver @ DC9 — 2/29/16

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Deep Sea DiverDeep Sea Diver (Photo Courtesy of Force Field PR)

There was a moment in Deep Sea Diver’s set at DC9 on February 29th, where lead singer Jessica Dobson suddenly ignited and the energy level ratcheted up to 11.

That moment came halfway through the set, in the long intro to “Wide Awake”, a song that left the crowd no doubt they were witnessing a revelationary performance. Just that short burst of rhythm and rock alone was enough to make the show.

Then from boisterous anthem to subdued, yet equally sublime, they transitioned to “Great Light”, a ballad of hopeful love, brought to life through Jessica’s lilting voice, that might break your heart if it wasn’t merely a song.

As Jessica set down her guitar (one of two used during the show) with broken strings poking in every direction, Jessica joked that this is, “literally the first song I play without an instrument in my hands.” And she did need both hands to hold the mic steady enough to take the force of the lyrics.

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Don’t Miss: Deep Sea Diver (opening for Radiation City) @ DC9, 2/29/16

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Deep Sea DiverDeep Sea Diver (Photo courtesy of Force Field PR)

Deep Sea Diver’s new album, Secrets, hits the streets on Friday, February 19th.

Just in time for you to get a copy and give it a spin (or whatever you say after you download and listen…) before they perform at DC9 on February 29th. They open for Radiation City.

And Secrets is well worth your time. It is heavy on guitar riffs and infused with chorus after melodic chorus. You’ll listen to the album over and over. The live performance should bring new and exciting energy to each song.

Deep Sea Diver has its origins in Seattle. Members are Jessica Dobson on lead vocals (she was the former guitarist of The Shins but left to focus Deep Sea Diver), Peter Mansen on drums, Garrett Gue on bass, and Elliot Jackson on guitar and synth.

The title track and first single, “Secrets”, wants you to show them the way and to remember your first love.

“Always Waiting” is a slow, powerful song that declares aptly, “I’m always waiting for the right words to explain it.”

Check out their full performance live on KEXP (an indie radio station in Seattle):

You can order Secrets here.

 

Deep Sea Diver
(Opening for Radiation City)
DC9
Monday, February 29
Doors @ 8:30pm
$12
All ages

Music Park: Matt Pond PA @ Rock and Roll Hotel — 10/14/15

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“Take Me With You”

Matt Pond PA, fronted by Matt Pond from Pennsylvania, took the Rock and Roll Hotel crowd on a refreshingly honest musical journey last Wednesday, 10/14/15.

With a catalog of music spanning 17 years (their first album came out in 1998), they played 16 or so songs for the semi-full venue.

That there were many long-time fans in attendance was apparent when you turned in every direction to spot the many people singing along to their older songs.

In addition to the lead singer, Matt Pond, the band consists of his “best friend”, Chris Hansen, and other recurring members, including a bearded cellist. The band did enjoy beards, as three of the five members sported one. This speaks more to the expectation of a more folk or country sound, but the reality is there were elements of many musical genres, from guitar rock, chamber pop, post-punk and the aforementioned folk and country.

The band is currently touring for their 10th full-length album, The State of Gold, released in June. Their setlist was certainly supportive of the new material, as they played at least five songs from The State of Gold.

Many of the songs deal with loss, yet with a sense of exploring new challenges and hope on the horizon. With “Take Me With You”, the refrain “when we run away, let’s really run” leads to “It feels good to be gone.”

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