Live Review: Jay Blakesberg (Grateful Dead Photography) @ The Birchmere — 6/9/21

Posted on 06/15/2021 by Casey Vock in Live Review and tagged Grateful Dead, Jay Blakesberg, photography, psychedelic, The Birchmere, The Grateful Dead.

Jay Blakesberg displays his latest book, “Eyes of the World – Grateful Dead Photography – 1965-1995,” at The Birchmere on June 9, 2021. (Photo by Casey Vock)

How would our memories serve us in life without the assistance of photography? What would the realm of live music look like without the historical record provided by the photographs that serve as hard evidence of what has and who have come before us?

Jay Blakesberg knows from more than 40 years of experience that the duty of a live music photographer is, as he refers to it, “visual anthropology.” A native of New Jersey born in 1961, Jay is a guiding force in the world of both live music photography and musician portraiture, having worked with a staggering list of some of the most well-known musicians on the planet and seen his photos published across a universe of media.

Preview: Between The Dark and Light: The Grateful Dead Photography of Jay Blakesberg @ The Birchmere, 6/9/21

Posted on 06/04/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Jay Blakesberg, photography, psychedelic, The Birchmere.

Between The Dark and Light: is a fast paced slideshow/storytelling presentation featuring rock-and-roll photographer Jay Blakesberg, who shares many stories from his amazing 40+ year career photographing the Grateful Dead experience. During this 90-minute presentation, the charismatic and funny Blakesberg regales attendees with photos and stories related to his epic rock-and-roll American Dream story.

Catch Jay’s presentation at The Birchmere on Wednesday, June 9!

Song of the Day: “Finger Pies” by Anika

Posted on 04/29/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Anika, Berlin, Germany, psychedelic, Song of the Day.

Anika (Photo by Sven Gutjahr)

Anika — the project of Berlin-based musician Annika Henderson who is also a founding member of Exploded View — announces signing to Sacred Bones and returns with a new single/video, “Finger Pies.”

Song of the Day: “Escape” by Swerve

Posted on 01/21/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Britpop, California, Los Angeles, psychedelic, Song of the Day, Swerve.

Swerve (Photo by Mallory Turner)

Los Angeles-based band Swerve’s new single, “Escape,” is available now on Bandcamp. The song is first track to be lifted from the band’s debut album due this spring. The offical video for the single, which was directed by Maddie Liner, is available on YouTube!

Video Interview: One Way Out (New Single: “Black Lungs (and a Broken Heart)”)

Posted on 01/11/2021 by Mickey McCarter in Interview, Local Spotlight and tagged DC, hard rock, Interview, One Way Out, psychedelic.

One Way Out (Photo by Carter Louthian)

One Way Out recently released “Black Lungs (and a Broken Heart),” the latest single from their upcoming album, and the gents took the time to chat with Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter about their new music, their methods, and their 2021 Wammie nominations!

Song of the Day: “I’m on Top of the World” by Caleb Landry Jones

Posted on 10/29/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Caleb Landry Jones, California, Los Angeles, psychedelic, Song of the Day.

Caleb Landry Jones (Photo by Jacqueline Castel)

Earlier this year via Sacred Bones, actor, musician, and artist Caleb Landry Jones released his debut album, The Mother Stone, which NPR Music praised as “part Frank Zappa, part Syd Barrett, part White Album era John Lennon, it’s completely bonkers.”

Recently, Caleb presented a new single “I’m On Top Of The World” b/w “Jug A Long Jam,” which champions his boundary-pushing work as a songwriter/arranger, propelling his music beyond hero worship and into exciting new territory.

Interview: Foreign Air (New Album: Good Morning Stranger)

Posted on 10/26/2020 by Mickey McCarter in Interview, Local Spotlight and tagged art rock, DC, electronica, Foreign Air, Interview, Los Angeles, psychedelic.

Foreign Air (Photo by Elizabeth Miranda)

A little over a week ago, Foreign Air released debut album Good Morning Stranger, a smooth collection of 15 songs that will keep you dancing along whether in the club or more likely today in your home.

Based in Los Angeles and DC respectively, Jesse Clasen and Jacob Michael formed the band more than five years ago, and they started working on the full-length debut album three years ago. The result was clearly worth the effort, as the new music swells with dynamic melodies and towering electronics.

Both gents formed Foreign Air fresh from other acts, and their natural chemistry kept them together while working across the country. Jesse and Jacob still collaborate from across the country, perhaps making them the perfect band for the pandemic times in which we live. Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter caught up with the duo to explore their working arrangements, the achievement of the new album, and living up to expectations.

Live Review: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong @ Frederick Fairgrounds — 10/15/20

Posted on 10/20/2020 by Casey Vock in Live Review and tagged Baltimore, Frederick Fairgrounds, funk, Maryland, pigeons playing ping pong, psychedelic.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performs at Showtime at the Drive-In in Frederick on Oct. 15, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock.)

While the memories of live music as we once knew it slip more distant into our collective memories, it’s likely that no one will forget their first experience watching a drive-in style pandemic performance.

Originating in Europe and cropping up shortly thereafter throughout the United States, drive-in concerts have already become, for some, a norm in times of required or suggested social distancing. And thanks to the work of All Good Presents and Baltimore Soundstage, music fans in the DMV this fall are being offered a somewhat unexpected harvest of live music by way of the Showtime at the Drive-In series being held at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.

Song of the Day: “Sheba Chiba” by Steve Kilbey

Posted on 09/23/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Australia, psychedelic, Song of the Day, Steve Kilbey, The Church.

SteveKilbeyPhoto Steve Kilbey (Photo courtesy the artist)

Steve Kilbey releases a new video today for “Sheba Chiba,” a song from his new solo album, Eleven Women, available now on all streaming platforms. A North American CD and vinyl release date will be announced soon.

Livestream Preview: Devendra Banhart @ Noon Chorus, 9/23/20

Posted on 09/21/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Broad Museum, California, Devendra Banhart, livestream, Los Angeles, Noon Chorus, psychedelic, Venezuela.

Devendra Banhart (Photo courtesy the artist)

Devendra Banhart, the acclaimed Los Angeles-based Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter and visual artist, presents songs from his albums What Will We Be and Mala via NoonChorus on Wednesday, Sept. 23.