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Album Review

When’s the last time you sat down and listened to a record all the way through the first listen? Throw away your phone, turn off your laptop, forget about work and sit and listen to this album. Soak up every word and learn them so you can scream along to them in the car for the next month. Indie/punk based band, Citizen released their highly anticipated first LP Youth on June 11 with the help of Run For Cover Records. I may be a little biased because Citizen has been a favorite band of mine since the release of their hugely successful EP Young States, but listening through the album the first time around, I could feel the importance dripping off the album. Citizen has taken their time and released a close to perfect first effort at a full length album. Every song is special in its own way and feels like lead singer, Mat Kerekes is sitting in a room with you talking about his life. Every song... ...

Jun 12, 2013 Posted by Alisha Graefe In Album Reviews, Closet Under the Stairs, Content, Homepage Features, Producers, Staff Tagged Closet Under the Stairs Comments 0

The Maine-Forever Halloween//Album Review

Arizona rock band, The Maine have finally released their highly anticipated 4th studio album, Forever Halloween. At first listen, Forever Halloween is straight up rock and roll perfection. The Maine, formed by singer John O’Callaghan, bassist Garrett Nickelsen, drummer Pat Kirch, lead guitarist Jared Monaco and guitarist Kennedy Brock has released a top-notch sophisticated album. Compared to the band’s first full length album, Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, the members as a group have grown up and channeled that into every song. With the members all in their twenties, the band has a wide range of heartbreaking topics to croon about. “These Four Words” is the most heartbreakingly honest song that The Maine has produced so far. With O’Callaghan’s stylized and unique voice singing the words, “so listen to your friends and leave me alone. I’m just a boy, I’m drunk, I’m 24. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. Don’t waste your tears on me now pretty girl. When I hate myself for letting you go, you can be the one... ...

Jun 2, 2013 Posted by Alisha Graefe In Album Reviews, Closet Under the Stairs, Content, Homepage Features, Producers, Staff Comments 0

Real Friends Interview, 4/26/13

I had the pleasure of meeting Real Friends and showing them a couple spots in Boise. They were kind enough to sit down with me outside The Venue before their show with Such Gold and Major League. ...

May 30, 2013 Posted by Alisha Graefe In Closet Under the Stairs, Content, Homepage Features, Interviews, Producers, Staff Comments 0

Top Albums March-May 2013

This year has already been an exciting time for new music with albums being released from bands like Daft Punk, Vampire Weekend and 30 Seconds to Mars. Here is my list of my favorite albums released from March to May. (5) The Wonder Years, The Greatest Generation The Wonder Years’ fourth studio album caught me off guard. Released in May, this pop-punk group produced a top notch, close to perfect album that is more of a statement for my generation then anything. The album is a snapshot or glance into a past and present great generation that is struggling with new and old problems. The Wonder Years stick with topics they are great at discussing like religion, depression and of course growing up in a small town. “Passing Through a Screen Door,” (See below) discusses fears that everyone faces like being alone and not knowing what to do with your life; “Jesus Christ. I’m 26. All the people I’ve graduated with all have kids, all have wives, all have people... ...

May 30, 2013 Posted by Alisha Graefe In Album Reviews, Closet Under the Stairs, Content, Homepage Features, Producers, Staff Comments 0

The Blaqks – 30 April 2013 – The Mixed Bag Interview

On the 30th of April, 2013 Boise band The Blaqks kicked down my door and rocked out in my apartment. Danny Blaqk, Jonny Blaqk, and Derell Blaqk worked out acoustic versions of a couple of their songs mere moments before coming in and talking with me about broken relationships, the local music scene in Boise, and the future… ...

May 13, 2013 Posted by Paul Bates In Homepage Features, Interviews, Live!, The Mixed Bag Comments 0

Interview with Danko Jones – 031913

Danko Jones rolled into Boise, Idaho opening up for Volbeat at the Revolution Concert House on March 19th, 2013 pumped full of angst and rock n’ roll. They are currently supporting their 2012 release Rock N’ Roll is Black and Blue. Danko Jones was prepared to pump up the crowd and give it their all. From start to finish Danko rocked the Revolution by playing crowd favorites like; First Date, Full of Regret, and Just a Beautiful Day. The Canadian Trio that consists of Danko Jones – Vocals/Guitar, John Calabrese – Bass, and Atom Willard – Drums paid respect to those rock n’ roll/metalheads like Randy Rhoads, Dimebag Darrell, Bon Scott, and Ronnie James Dio just to name a few, that have past away over the years that put the crowd in an uproar. The band was as tight as ever stopping to intro songs that might be a little too much for a child who just happened to be in the audience. With their high energy Danko is not... ...

Apr 17, 2013 Posted by Denny Spinks In All Things Metal, Concert Review, Content, Homepage Features, Interviews, Live!, Podcasts Comments 0

Interview with Johannes Eckerström from Avatar – 030813

Swedish band Avatar was in Boise, Idaho on March 8th, 2013 at the Knitting Factory. I had the opportunity to talk to vocalist Johannes Eckerström about the album Black Waltz, Touring, Fans, The Side Show aspect, and more. You can listen to the full interview here and check out photos from the show here. ...

Apr 16, 2013 Posted by Denny Spinks In All Things Metal, Concert Review, Content, Homepage Features, Interviews, Live!, Podcasts Comments 0

Interview with Robb Rivera of Nonpoint – 020113

Nonpoint was in Boise, Idaho on February 1st, 2013 headlining the Knitting Factory with Candlelight Red opening. I sat down and talked to drummer Robb Rivera about the new album, new label, working with Johnny K (Sevendust, Staind, 3 Doors Down), and touring. You can listen to the full interview here. You can also check out pictures from the show here. ...

Apr 16, 2013 Posted by Denny Spinks In All Things Metal, Concert Review, Content, Homepage Features, Interviews, Podcasts, Producers Comments 0

Treefort Kickoff Concert with B.Dolan

O.M.- You did slam poetry for awhile and were involved with HBO’s Def Poetry, are you still involved with that at all? Outside of the poetics in your music of course. B.Dolan -Not at all. In fact I actively discourage people from being a part of that community at this point. I was disillusioned by both Slam and Def Jam almost instantly. I hate to be so publicly negative and honestly don’t even like being asked or talking about it. But suffice to say I would hate it if people heard my music and went to a poetry slam, or a rap battle for that matter, expecting to see a good show. That’s not what those things are. They’re formulaic contests and the majority of their participants make cheap and easy shit because they’re desperate for validation. My involvement with that scene was a result of me being 18 years old and stumbling onto any stage that would have me, performing and getting some attention from Def Jam. But... ...

Apr 10, 2013 Posted by OroraMunroe In Album Reviews, Concert Review, Events, Hip Hop Love Affair, Homepage Features, Interviews, Staff, Uncategorized Comments 0

Your Weekly Update- April 10-16

Wednesday, April 10 Treasure Valley Concert Band and Caldwell High School Bands Concert. 7:30-9 p.m. Caldwell High School, 3401 S. Indiana Ave. Free. Call 426-1596. Thursday, April 11 “Sabah: Relationships across Cultures.” 6-8 p.m. Student Union Forum Room. Film screening and discussion presented by the Women’s Center and co-sponsored by International Student Services. A part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This film about how a couple overcomes cultural barriers will be followed by a discussion about family, culture and relationships. Free. For more information, call 426-4259. Friday and Saturday, April 12-13 Ballet Idaho, “Swan Lake.” 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Morrison Center. “Swan Lake” is considered one of the greatest classical ballets of all time. Its romance and beauty have allowed the classic ballet to mesmerize audiences for more than 100 years. It is a story of conflict and loss, love and triumph between the starring roles of Odette, Odile, Prince Siegfried and evil wizard Von Rothbart. This is the Boise premiere of Peter Anastos’ full-length “Swan Lake,”... ...

Apr 9, 2013 Posted by Alisha Graefe In Content, Events, Homepage Features, News Comments 0

Review Category : Homepage Features